mistress of the koch household, of Kuttenberg
“I keep my purse tight and my floors clean, and I do not suffer fools.”
Things Margaret Koch had written, latest first, with the glosses of her neighbours.
the Tuesday before Whitsun, at Sext
The war makes bread dearer every week. If Menhard buys another round of watered ale at the tavern instead of letting me put the coin in the box, that German merchant will take my sister's land. I count every penny, but I cannot count for two.
Nota scribaeDictated at the market. She pointed a stiff finger at the parchment the whole time.
the feast of St Florian, at Vespers
I hired Helena and Amice to do the spring scrubbing. Sloppy work. I caught Helena eyeing my good copper basin, so I watched them like a hawk. I paid them half what they asked. Firewood costs too much to pay full wage for half a job.
the third day of Easter week, at Prime
That weeping girl Lene came to my door begging for work. I chased her off the step. Look at her arms! Too weak to scrub a floor properly. She needs to harden her heart and stop wailing for her father, or go back to the fields.
I am strong enough, Mistress Koch. My father Hannes taught me to work hard before the soldiers took him.
Mother, you did not have to shout so loud at her. The whole street heard.
Nota scribaeShe paused twice to check the iron lock on her heavy wooden box.
the second Wednesday of Lent, at None
Turnips cost twice what they did last year. I haggled the miller down, but not enough. Every groschen I wrench from the housekeeping goes into the box under my bed. Poor Ursel left that plot of land, and I will buy it before a stranger does.
Ursel has been dead three winters, wife. The fever took her. Let the land go.
I will not let it go. Land is the only safe wealth when armies march.
Candlemas, at Terce
The Pope wants a ledger of our days. Let him read this: Erhard the pawnbroker is the only man in Kuttenberg with any sense. He bolts his doors and holds onto his silver. The rest of this town pisses their coin against the wall. I am saving mine.
Erhard is a leech who thrives on other people's ruin.
He thrives because he knows the value of a locked box.
Nota scribaeDictated at the church door. She refused to give a copper to the beggars.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
A man needs a drop of ale to wash down the dust of the town, Margaret. Leave off.
And a family needs land when the King's brother burns the country. Drink water.