hauler of timber and stone, of Kuttenberg
“I am an honest labourer who pays his way and saves his coin. I despise a man who drinks his debts.”
Things Bartholomew Mason had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the eve of St George, at None
The muster draws closer and my silver is gone. Roger Thatcher parades in a moth-eaten gambeson, but we both know he pawned the good padded armour I paid for. I will hold his copper plate until he admits he drank my silver.
Nota scribaeThe dictation was interrupted twice so he could recount the coins in his purse.
the second day of Easter week, at Vespers
Ten hours loading timber at the silver works today. My shoulders ache, but I demanded every penny from the overseer. Albrecht and Henslin squabble over ruined tar while honest coin is there for the taking. The bread is dearer, but I pay my way.
That tar was worth eleven groschen, you stubborn mule.
Well said. A man's worth is in his back.
the Tuesday after St Gregory, at Prime
The rain pours through the roof again. Christopher takes our rent for this miserable room but spends not a penny on the broken shingles. I count my groschen to stay out of the rain, but my chest at the foot of the pallet is soaked.
I curse Christopher's name every time the rain falls. I would gladly see him in the stocks.
Ash Wednesday, at Compline
Sat for a game in the baker's alley to forget my missing armor. I brought out my lucky bone die to make the set. Martin Plümel walked away with it, claiming he won it on a fair throw. It was only lent. My luck is soured.
The throw was fair, Bartholomew. Keep crying over your bone.
St Matthias's day, at Terce
I have taken Roger Thatcher's valuable copper plate. I gave him good silver for padded armour from a retiring guardsman, and he drank it away. I will hold this lawful pledge until he returns my kit and admits what he did.
If he drank the silver, the plate is yours until he pays.
Nota scribaeHe stood stiff-backed, hands on his belt, refusing to leave the scriptorium until I underlined the word 'lawful'.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
I told you, Bartholomew, it is the same armour! Give me back my plate before my sister Amice hears of this shame.
Amice has nothing to do with your drinking, Roger. Admit it aloud.