baker of Kuttenberg, of Kuttenberg
“I am a peaceful man who minds his ovens and wants only quiet in his own yard.”
Things Andrew had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the Thursday before Whitsun, at None
My father Tobias came to see the ovens today, and Eva would not even look at him. She says until the rest of the dowry silver is paid, he is no kin of hers. Christ almighty, I just want to eat my supper without someone shouting across the table.
the second day of May, at Prime
Simon from next door was glaring over the yard again. I waved, but he looked as sour as spoilt milk. It is only a shaping adze. A cracked dough trough does not fix itself, and the iron is perfectly balanced. A man should not rush good woodwork.
It was lent before Candlemas, you whoreson! Bring it back or I will come and take it from your hide.
I am putting the final edge on the wood, Simon. You will have it by Sunday.
Nota scribaeDictated while wiping his hands on his apron repeatedly.
the Tuesday of Easter week, at Vespers
Flour is dearer than last spring, and the townsmen complain when the loaves are smaller. Do they think I control the weather or the King's taxes? William Swift was moaning about his rotting roof today, blaming old Kubyenka, God rest his grasping soul. At least my roof keeps the flour dry.
May the Devil use Kubyenka's bones for soup. The roof leaks right onto my chopping block.
the feast of Saint Gregory, at Terce
I was cleaning out the chest at the foot of my bed today, and found some old paper I thought I had burned years ago. I should put it in the oven, but I closed the lid instead. Eva was busy arguing with Anna over the boundary stone anyway.
What paper, Andrew? You swore to me on the cross that you burned all the rubbish we talked of.
Tell your wife she moved that stone a full span into my yard, baker!
Nota scribaeThe man would not look me in the eye while saying this.
Candlemas, at Sext
The main baking trough cracked down the middle this morning. Bloody hell. I asked Simon for his shaping adze to smooth out a new plank. He handed it over kindly enough. I will return it as soon as the job is done. The young maid Sarah next door looks half-starved; gave her a crust.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
A promise is a promise, Andrew. Your father thinks we forgot, but the ledger does not lie.
I gave you a thriving bakery, lad. If your wife wants more silver she can dig it out of the mines herself.