maidservant and middle-hand, of Kuttenberg
“I organise the mending for the town levy, though God knows why I bother when surrounded by such useless girls. I keep my head up and my hands busy.”
Things Edith had written, latest first, with the glosses of her neighbours.
the eve of Whitsun, at Vespers
I walked past the market and saw Anne in a fine heavy gambeson. It is the very one I handed her at Candlemas to mend, the one the quartermaster issued. The muster is coming. If Thomas returns from Prague, he will want it back, and I will be the one answering for it.
Nota scribaeShe pointed her finger at the desk while dictating.
the second day of May, at Sext
The council promised us all a silver groschen per piece by Easter for this mending. Easter is long past and my purse is empty. I spend all day stalking the washing yards to make sure the stitching is done, while the Hungarians take all the food. No one gives you a free meal.
Amen. I am sick of parceling out work for nothing.
We must look after each other, Edith. The girls are doing their best.
the Tuesday after Easter, at None
Half these girls are fools. Beatrice is hiding Eleanor's smoothing iron, Ellen took Milada's bone needle, and Annabel has pawned Sybil's gear. I am the only responsible woman left in Kuttenberg. If the quartermaster's guards come looking, I am not answering for any of them.
Milada owes me for the washing. I kept the needle fair and square.
Give it back, you harsh old bat!
Nota scribaeDictated very fast.
the first week of Lent, at Prime
Word is Thomas went to Prague to answer for missing army stores. That means he might come back here in a rage looking for what we owe. Some of the girls are drinking cheap beer instead of working. I tell you, I will not let them drag me into the mud.
I hear you, Edith. I check my ledgers every night now.
Candlemas, at Terce
I lent Anne a pair of heavy tailor's shears today, along with some canvas. I took pity on her because of her mother Emma being so sick. Those shears cost me a month's work. I told her I expect them back by Sunday.
That is a Christian thing to do, Edith. Emma is a good soul.
God bless you, child. My chest is very bad.
Nota scribaeThe woman stood very straight the whole time.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
I am cold, Edith. Emma is gone, and I am so cold in the mornings.
Cold or not, it belongs to the town guard. Take it off before the soldiers take it off you.