hired hand at the works, of Kuttenberg
“I haul stone and silver ore at the Italian Court from first light till dusk. I am stronger than the miserable bastards I live with, but God forbid my barrow squeaks.”
Things Lawrence had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the second Tuesday in May, at Vespers
Saw Andrew the Hophead near the market and turned down the alley to avoid him. I have not got what he wants to ask about, and if the King's levy is called I will be the one feeling the magistrate's lash. A man has to eat, bloody hell.
the Wednesday after Easter, at None
If my barrow wheels shriek one more time, Foreman Ralph will throw me off the ramp. Geoffrey took my pot of grease out of pure malice. I am not giving back your brother's rusted crowbar until my grease is sitting right back where I left it.
It is a pledge, you thief. Edmund left me that iron. Return it, and you will get your grease.
I am using it! You sleep two feet from me, you can see I still need it to pry the stones.
Nota scribaeThe man waved his hands so wildly he nearly knocked over the inkwell.
the eve of Palm Sunday, at Compline
My back is broken from hauling silver ore all bloody day. Godfrey is pacing around the cellar weeping about the magistrate over some misplaced copper. I told him to shut his mouth so a man can sleep. Old Agatha wants her groschen tomorrow too.
It is easy for you to talk, Lawrence. The magistrate has a heavy hand and I am not strong like you.
And you had best have that groschen ready in the basket, you loud ape.
the Monday after St Matthias, at Prime
Last night Albrecht got drunk again and shoved Leonard right out of the cellar into the frost. Leonard just took it like an absolute weakling. At least it means there is more room by the hearth for me and less of them coughing.
He was standing on my foot. He is lucky I did not break his jaw.
I was only looking for my boots in the dark.
Nota scribaeDictated before his shift. He smelled strongly of stale sweat and shouted the last part.
Candlemas, at Terce
The frost is bitter and the bread is dearer than ever. I pawned some things that were not mine just to get a loaf. If the soldiers on the road keep eating everything in Kuttenberg, we will all starve before the thaw comes.
If you find any scraps left, let me know. A man could freeze to death down here.
Nota scribaeThe speaker looked about anxiously before mentioning the pawned goods.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
Lawrence, you coward. Where is my gambeson? You said you were taking the mud off it.