hired hand at the court, of Kuttenberg
“I haul heavy timber for the roofers at the Italian Court, taking double shifts. I will not be a labourer forever, for I am saving to join the town watch.”
Things Christopher had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the eve of Whitsun, at Vespers
The spring muster is almost upon us and I will be laughed out of the yard. I lent my war gear to Bartel Bauer for one shift and now he hides from me. If I do not have it, I cannot join the watch.
Nota scribaeHe waved his hands so wildly he nearly knocked over my ink.
the Thursday after the Invention of the Cross, at None
Bartholomew took a terrible fall from the timber frame. He lies in the cellar with a fever, drinking ale to stop the pain. He says his leg is only bruised, but I fear it is festering. I must work my double shift. Will some good Christian look in on him?
If I had a cart I would ride west to see my brother myself, but I have nothing here.
I will bring him a cup of water, lad, but if he dies before Vespers I am taking his boots.
the third day of Easter week, at Compline
Foreman Lawrence is a strict man, but I reckon that is how the world works for poor men. Hauling double shifts breaks your back. I saw soldiers on the road today. They looked well fed, whilst bread here takes more groschen every week.
Aye, the King's brother's men eat our grain while we haul the heavy timber.
Nota scribaeDictated at the cellar gates.
the Tuesday after St Gregory, at Sext
I do not understand why Lambert holds such a bitter grudge against Joseph over a broken fence. The man is gone to Prague. We have enough trouble here with the roofers and the mud. God's wounds, men are foolish.
He owes me public amends! A fence is a fence, lad, you will learn when you have one.
the morrow of Candlemas, at Prime
Foreman Lawrence decreed he will dock a third of a man's wage if he has no tools. I lent my only good mallet to Geoffrey before the feast, and he finds every excuse under heaven not to return it. I need my wages, Geoffrey!
I am still using it, Christopher. Hold your peace, you will have it back before Lent is out.
Nota scribaeThe young man sputtered in frustration as he spoke.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
I told you, lad, I had a heavy debt to clear. You will get the gear back when I have the coin to redeem it.
But when will that be? The muster is coming and they will turn me away!