wool sorter and mender, of Kuttenberg
“I sort wool and mend linen for the masters. It is honest work and keeps a roof over my head, so long as the coin lasts.”
Things Johanka Smith had written, latest first, with the glosses of her neighbours.
the eve of Whitsun, at None
A loaf is half a groschen dearer than before the spring. Bloody hell. The Hungarian soldiers on the road are eating Kuttenberg out of house and home. If this goes on, the war will starve us in the lower alleys before a single sword is drawn.
Nota scribaeDictated in the baker's alley. She kept her left arm rigidly tucked into her apron the entire time.
the second day of May, at Vespers
Finished a heavy lot of linen today. I pull the tough threads taut with my right hand and my teeth. My left arm is just fine, I only keep it tucked away because it is a comfortable way to sit. The masters have no cause to give my work to anyone else.
You looked pale today, Johanka. Does the old hurt from the wool-press trouble you?
I am perfectly hale and strong, Isolde. Mind your own stitching.
Nota scribaeShe paused mid-sentence and drew a very shallow breath, wincing.
the third day of Easter week, at Sext
I watch Kunigunde starving herself just to save twenty groschen for her mother's headstone. Kona was a hard woman, but Kunigunde has a good, loyal heart. May the Lord grant old Kona peace, and her daughter a decent meal before she wastes away.
Thank you, Johanka. Mother scrubbed her hands raw for us, it is the least I can do.
the Tuesday after St Gregory, at Terce
Felice is a fool. Chattering on about silver wimple-pins while there is real hunger in the town. Some of us are just trying to pay Widow Clemence her penny for a spot by the wall so we don't end up begging on the church steps.
Christ almighty, Johanka, there is no sin in looking at pretty things to pass the time!
Just see that you have my penny by Saturday, girls. Wood doesn't buy itself.
Nota scribaeShe asked that the part about begging be left out, but I had already inked it.
Candlemas, at Prime
Cecily Miller does fine work, I'll give her that, but her pride will be her undoing. I saw her borrow Isolde's Nuremberg shears this morning. I am keeping my mouth shut, I just stitch my pieces and watch the yard.
And she has not given them back yet! If she blunts them, I will have the bailiff on her.
Keep your hair on, Isolde, you will get your bloody shears before Vespers.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
Aye, it's a disgrace. The master barely pays enough to cover a heel of bread as it is.