hired hand hauling stone, of Kuttenberg
“I am a hard worker at the lower wall doing what I must to keep my three groschen a day.”
Things Alan had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the eve of Ascension, at Vespers
Christ alive, the town is swarming with so many hungry wretches I had to fight for my spot at the wall this morning. Foreman Robert looked right past me until I lifted a block to my chest. Three groschen is three groschen, and a man has to eat, but my neck is stiff as a board.
Nota scribaeDictated in a rush. He kept looking over his shoulder toward the mason yard.
the second Tuesday after Easter, at Sext
That little snake Ludwig walked right past me at the alehouse and pretended he did not hear me shout his name. He swore on the cross he would give the iron back quickly. He is a thief and a blasphemer, and the Lord will strike him down if the foreman does not do it first.
the Thursday before Palm Sunday, at None
I saw Jarda by the upper works and had to duck behind the scaffolding so he would not see me. I am a reliable man, I abide by the rules. It is not my fault others break holy oaths. If I just get the iron back tomorrow, all will be well.
Why are you hiding from me, Alan? Have you finished with that heavy hammer yet?
Not hiding at all, Jarda. Just busy hauling stone. Soon, I swear it.
Nota scribaeThe man was breathless and sweating heavily, though the wind was cold.
the first Wednesday of Lent, at Compline
Julian and Bartel will not stop shouting about their own foolishness, but at least it keeps the masters from looking too closely at the rest of us. Denis and I shared a jug of cheap ale and prayed the price of bread does not rise again. A man cannot live on crusts alone.
You have your full coin, Alan. Margery took my last groschen and the rain still comes right through my thatch.
the day after Candlemas, at Prime
Foreman Robert says we must bring our own heavy tools or he cuts our wage to two groschen. Christ alive, it is a cruel rule. I managed to show him a good heavy hammer so my three groschen are safe. Then young Ludwig comes begging for help. I should have told the boy no.
A man without tools is only half a man. Be grateful I pay you at all.
It is just for a few days, Alan. I swore on the cross I would return it quickly.
Nota scribaeHe spoke in a low mutter so the foreman would not hear him.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
Aye, the roads are full of them. Every burnt out farmer wants our wages.