ditch digger at the court, of Kuttenberg
“I clear spoil at the Italian Court and try to keep my head down. It is hard work for a small man, but I do my best.”
Things Kunz had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the eve of Saint Urban, at Vespers
Udo shouted out by the stalls that I took pennies from Doubravka's strongbox. It is a wicked lie. I only ever sweep the stairs so she will not throw me in the mud. I pray some big fellow knocks Udo down for saying it. I am too fearful to do it myself.
Nota scribaeHe spoke this very quietly to his boots, twisting his sleeves.
the second day of May, at Prime
Robert was sick in the straw again last night. The smell of ale and bile is terrible. I know he mourns his brother Simon who took the fever in Lent, but the widow will throw us all out if he keeps fouling the cellar.
the Tuesday after Easter, at Terce
The big men pushed me to the back of the crowd at Saint James again this morning. If Nicholas had not caught Master Otto's eye for me, I would have no wage today and nothing but a few hidden pennies to my name. My back is already broken from the barrow.
Keep your head down and push the barrow, Kunz. Otto is in a foul temper today.
We all work hard for our coin. Stop your whining.
the second Sunday in Lent, at None
I swept the cellar stairs three times today. They say a clean threshold keeps the evil spirits away, but I just hope it keeps Doubravka from looking at me too closely when she takes her penny. I heard the Cumans are burning villages north of here, but rent is still due.
She would take a penny from the devil himself, that widow.
Nota scribaeDictated on the stairs. He would not stop sweeping while he spoke.
Candlemas, at Vespers
I lent my best mallet to Udo today. It took me a whole month of hauling spoil to save the groschen for it. He said he only needed it for an hour. I hope he brings it back soon, because I cannot afford another and I dare not ask him for it.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
It was only a jest, Kunz. Do not soil your breeches over it.
You should have kept your mouth shut, Udo. The widow heard you.