housekeeper for her family, of Kuttenberg
“I keep the fire burning and the pot full for my father and brothers, who do not know they are born.”
Things Ursel Metzger had written, latest first, with the glosses of her neighbours.
the eve of Trinity Sunday, at None
Henslin threatens to drag me to the bailiff over the back strip again. That cabbage patch is mine. Mother promised it to me before the fever took her, and if that whoreson brother of mine tries to sell it for ale money, I will salt the bloody earth myself.
Nota scribaeShe pointed a finger wrapped in stained rags at my face the entire time she spoke.
the Monday after Philip and James, at Vespers
Lord save me from the weeping of soft women. Bridget Lang is crying over a lost bone comb today, instead of giving Hermann a piece of her mind. If my man ever treated me so, I would break a skillet over his stupid head.
It was a very fine comb, Ursel. You would know nothing of such things.
the third day of Easter week, at Prime
The king's brother has filled the roads with Cumans and mercenaries, and the price of grain has gone up again. Claus complained of the pottage being thin this morning. I told him he could eat mud if he prefers, it costs nothing.
Nota scribaeDictated at the lower well while the woman hauled two enormous buckets.
the feast of the Annunciation, at Sext
Saw Ella Richter hoarding her pennies today, keeping them safe from Else and Kunigunde. She is the only one in this cursed parish with any sense. We both know what it is to scrape dung from our boots while others sleep.
God's truth, Ursel. Let the frivolous starve when winter comes.
the day after Candlemas, at Compline
Three winters now since the chest fever took my mother Matilda. I struck flint for the hearth this morning until my knuckles bled, and the sparks flew in the shape of a cross. She is watching me. She knows I am keeping this rotting house together.
I miss her too, Ursel. Though you do not need to curse so loudly when you wake me.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
You talk out of your arse, Ursel. Father holds the deed, and I am his heir. Pull the weeds and shut your mouth.
I will pull your bloody teeth first.