Peter Milk-drinker

the Tuesday before Whitsun, at Prime

The priest says he will read my name from the pulpit this Sunday as a cheat if I do not pay my father's burial fee. If Gilbert hears it, he will never point at me for the work line again. I am praying the Lord sends me silver.

• 
  Adam

  The church must have its due, lad. Better to go hungry than face the Lord with a debt.

Nota scribaeThe boy looked at his boots the whole time he spoke.

the third day of Easter week, at Vespers

My shoulders burn like fire from the heavy sacks. The older men say my father was a drunk, but he knew how to lift the ore without breaking his back. I wish he were here to show me the grip again.

• 
  Black Jacob

  He knew how to lift a mug of beer, lad. That much is true.

• 
  Peter Milk-drinker

  He was a saint, master Jacob. Please do not speak ill of the dead.

the Friday after St Gregory, at None

Stislav the Kite took Martin's shovel because Casper the Fox took his into a flooded pit. Now everyone in the cellar is stealing from each other and saying Denis took it before he left with the soldiers. I keep my head down and pray they leave my boots alone.

• 
  Stislav the Kite

  Denis was a thief and you are a fool, Peter. Keep your eyes on the dirt.

Nota scribaeDictated at the yard gates.

the Monday after St Matthias, at Sext

Gilbert passed me over at the barred window today. No hauling, so no bread. The Hungarian soldiers on the roads have delayed the wagons again. May God forgive me, I am very hungry.

• 
  Stephen the Ox

  We are all hungry, boy. At least nobody swapped your iron cap while you slept.

Candlemas, at Terce

I only asked Martin the Pike to grind the notches out of the heavy hauling knife my father left me. Now he will not give it back unless I pay him ten groschen. I need it for the crushing pits, master.

• 
  Martin the Pike

  I ruined a good whetstone on that rusted piece of iron. Ten groschen or you dig with your hands.

Nota scribaeThe boy crossed himself three times before speaking.