hired hand at the wall works, of Kuttenberg
“I haul the heaviest cut stones at the wall works and earn a full man's wage of three groschen. I am no boy to be ordered about for pennies.”
Things Ludwig had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the Tuesday before Whitsun, at Sext
Frantishek looked half dead at the wall today. His landlady Margery takes his coin and leaves him to sleep under a rotting roof. I broke off a piece of my midday bread for him. A man needs his strength to haul stone.
Nota scribaeDictated while chewing on a crust. He kept looking over his shoulder.
the third day of Easter week, at Vespers
Alan is shouting again, calling me a blasphemer over a masonry hammer. He knows very well he said I could keep it until I had the coin for my own. I am a grown man earning three groschen, I have no need to steal.
You swore on the wayside cross, you whoreson! Bring it back or I will let Bartel beat it out of you.
You are being unreasonable, Alan. A man's memory plays tricks on him.
Nota scribaeHe stared at his boots the entire time he spoke.
the Monday after Palm Sunday, at Prime
I saw Julian working with Bartel's pick today. It is good to see another hired hand making sure he has the iron he needs for the job. We must look out for ourselves if we want a full wage.
the first Friday of Lent, at None
Denis walks past the trench calling me a liar to anyone who will listen. The man's mind is failing him. He promised me the iron saw until Easter, clear as day. I do the work of a veteran and I will not be paid like a lad.
I lent it for the afternoon, you thief! Give it back before I break your jaw.
You are a fool, Ludwig. Keep making enemies and you will find yourself in a ditch.
Nota scribaeHe twisted his leather belt in his hands until I thought it would snap.
Candlemas, at Terce
Robert the foreman stood before us at the muster and said any hand without his own tools will get two groschen instead of three. Christ almighty. I carry the heaviest blocks at the Italian Court. I will not be robbed of my wage. I must find some iron.
It is a harsh rule, but Robert holds the purse. We must all make do.
Nota scribaeHe spoke in a blind panic, nearly knocking over my ink.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
God reward you, Ludwig. That bread kept me on my feet. Margery will see me in the grave before she mends that thatch.