windlass operator at the deep shafts, of Kuttenberg
“I haul rock up from the dark and keep my head down. A strong back and good gear are all a man needs.”
Things Lamprecht had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the eve of the Ascension, at Vespers
Eberhard is whining about his broken chest again. Christ almighty, these young pups have no discipline. You keep your gear safe and you do your shift. I out-pulled three of them at the windlass today and my arms are still fresh. Just mind your own business.
Nota scribaeHe cleared his throat so much I thought he was choking on a stone.
the Tuesday after St George, at Compline
Otto is still barking about that heavy hammer. I told him I need it for my shift. He barely uses the bloody thing anyway, and a good tool means work. I am not breaking my own gear just because he is impatient. He will get it back when I am done.
the third day of Easter week, at None
Drank too much cheap beer at the alehouse yesterday. Hedvika would have tanned my hide for wasting the groschen, God rest her soul. Four winters now since the flux took her. Up in heaven she is probably organizing the angels into shifts. The pallet feels colder every year.
She was a good woman, Lamprecht. Kept us all in line.
Aye, I light a candle for her alongside the one for my brother Mikesh.
Nota scribaeDictated staring at the floorboards. The man smelled heavily of stale beer.
the feast of St Gregory, at Prime
Bread is dearer again because of these bloody soldiers on the roads. Baldwin shaved our piece-rates this morning, claiming the ore is poor. Nobody argued, because he holds the book that decides who eats. I just kept my mouth shut and hauled my baskets. Better hungry than assigned to a flooded seam.
The King's brother brings nothing but ruin. We sweat in the dark and they take the silver to pay Cumans.
the day after Candlemas, at Terce
My old hammer is showing a crack in the haft. I cannot risk it breaking on a bad rock and leaving me to starve. I asked Otto to lend me his heavy one for a few days. He grumbled, but he handed it over. A man must protect his livelihood.
Just for a few days, Lamprecht. Do not ruin the head on the hard seams.
Hugh took my eating knife last week. Do not trust anyone with your gear, Otto.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
It is easy to keep your gear safe when you use other men's tools, Lamprecht.
Watch your mouth, lad, or I will box your ears.