hired hand, of Kuttenberg
“I keep my head down, keep my pick sharp, and try to stay away from the bailiff's men.”
Things Godfrey had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
The Monday before Whitsun, at Sext
There is talk in the lower town that the King's men will soon call the militia to muster against the Hungarians. Every time I see a town guard, I break out in a cold sweat. Sakra. If the magistrate starts inspecting the men's kits, I am surely going to hang.
Nota scribaeThe speaker wiped his hands on his tunic three times before finishing the sentence.
The eve of St George, at Compline
Roger keeps eyeing my corner of the straw. He's a scavenger, that one, always looking at other men's tools. I make sure to sleep with my pick close at hand. At least Andreas knows how to survive without making a fuss. One groschen a day barely buys bread with prices this high.
The third day of Easter week, at None
Geoffrey and Lawrence are fighting over that rusted crowbar again. Their shouting echoes off the cellar walls until my head rings. I just want quiet. It's hard enough surviving a shift hauling ore for Foreman Ralph without coming back to a madhouse.
It's my pot of wheel grease he keeps knocking over with the bloody thing!
My late brother Edmund left me that crowbar! It is good iron, not rust.
Nota scribaeDictated near the Italian Court gates.
The Tuesday after St Matthias, at Prime
Saw young Leonard thrown out into the mud yesterday because Albrecht drunkenly called him a thief over some firewood. That fool Albrecht and his drink will get us all ruined. I polished my pick for an hour last night just to calm my nerves. A man needs his tools.
Candlemas, at Vespers
The damp in this cellar is settling deep in my chest. Agatha shouted down the stairs today for her rent, three groschen I do not have. A man has to do what he must to keep from sleeping rough in the frost. Sakra, I hope I can buy it back.
Buy what back? Sakra, if you find a broker selling war gear, let me know, mine went missing yesterday.
Just an old winter coat, Andrew. I will let you know if I see your gear.
Nota scribaeThe man kept wringing his hands the entire time he spoke.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
Are you feeling ill, Godfrey? You look like you've seen a ghost. And if you hear who took my war gear, tell me.
I know nothing of your gear, Andrew! Leave me be, I have a cough, that is all.