labourer at the carters' yard, of Kuttenberg
“I do honest work at the yard, keep my nose clean, and just want my gear back.”
Things Andrew Newman had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the Monday before Whitsun, at None
The muster is almost here and I am sick with dread. If I stand before the bailiff without my copper plate, he will fine me a month's wages. Stephen Cook still has it and David Baker avoids my eye in the street. I am ruined.
Nota scribaeHe tugged his sleeves so hard while dictating that one tore.
the third day of Easter week, at Vespers
Oswald was struck by a runaway wagon and is kept to his bed. I should not wish ill on him, but maybe now the yard tally will be fair. He always gave the warm indoor jobs to his nephews and left us in the mud.
Oswald pays on time and does not cheat the tally. You should show some respect.
God willing he recovers soon. A broken chest is no small thing.
the Thursday after Laetare Sunday, at Prime
Stood at the stone cross freezing since dawn, and not a single wagon came in. The war has choked the roads entirely. I swept the yard just to buy a loaf, but sweeping pays in pennies and a copper plate costs silver.
Nota scribaeDictated in the freezing mud by the stone cross.
the Tuesday after St Gregory, at Terce
I watched Kunz Baumann counting his groschen today. He hoards every coin like a dragon saving for that draught horse. If he would just lend me twenty groschen, I could pay Stephen and save my life. But I know better than to ask.
A horse earns its keep, Andrew. Throwing silver at another man's ale debt does not.
You should stop worrying about Kunz's purse and go find David.
the morrow of Candlemas, at Sext
Christ almighty, my copper plate is gone! I saved half a year for it, going without hot meals, and David Baker took it to show off at a dance! He pawned it to Stephen Cook to clear his ale debt. I am going to wring his neck.
I have the plate safe. Bring twenty groschen and it is yours again.
Nota scribaeThe man was shifting from foot to foot the entire time he spoke.
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, Andrew. How was I to know Stephen wouldn't give it back?
A pledge is a pledge. Twenty groschen clears the ale debt, then you get your plate.
It is not your plate to hold, Stephen! And you, David, are a bloody thief.