heavy cloth cutter, of Kuttenberg
“I cut heavy wool for the master weavers and expect honest dealing in return.”
Things Katherine Braun had written, latest first, with the glosses of her neighbours.
the Tuesday before Whitsun, at Vespers
These weeping fools in the alley are losing sleep over the town levy. Zlata and Agnes are dodging pawnbrokers over padded jacks! I told them to do as I do: show up empty-handed and let the bailiff fine you. Better a fine than hiding like a beaten thief.
the feast of St Pancras, at Sext
Enneleyn was at my door again about that stretching frame. Christ almighty, she can afford to wait! I need it more right now to finish this heavy wool. When I am done, she will get it back. Fair is fair, and I am the one suffering without my shears.
It has been weeks, Katherine! You cannot steal my frame just because Magdalena took your shears!
Nota scribaeShe waved her blistered hands in my face to make the point, nearly knocking over the ink.
the Wednesday of Easter week, at Compline
The masters at the sheds pay a pittance for ruining my hands. My knuckles are so swollen today I could barely grip the bread for my supper. If I lose my strength, I will be begging with the lepers. I need an honest day's rest, not just honest sweat.
I can rub some goose fat into your knuckles tomorrow if you like, Katherine.
the Monday after St Gregory, at None
Magdalena Ebner still claims she is in the middle of a bolt and cannot spare my heavy shears. Bloody hell! Those shears cost me a month of wages. There ought to be a law against keeping a borrowed tool past an agreed saint's day. I should march in and take them.
I swear by the Virgin I am almost finished with the thickest part of the wool. Just two more days!
You said two days a fortnight ago, you whoreson thief!
Nota scribaeDictated loudly. The woman shouted the last part so fiercely she spat on the ledger.
Candlemas, at Terce
Lent my heavy shears to Magdalena this morning so she could cut some tough cloth. She swore by all the saints she would bring them back before Vespers. A good neighbour helps another, but she had best not dull the blades on anything rough.
You are a fool to let them out of your sight, Katherine.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
Easy for you to say, Katherine. You do not have a brother the bailiff can drag off to the muster.
Fair is fair, Adleta. I only have my own blistered hands to worry about.