master smith at the horse market, of Kuttenberg
“I strike the iron and keep this town moving, though half the lads here wouldn't know a good nail if they sat on one.”
Things John Polner had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the Thursday before Whitsun, at Terce
Christ almighty, the bailiff's men are snooping around the market checking everyone's muster gear. If they find my lad Jan without his padded jack, they'll shut the forge. I'll get it back from Frantishek's heavy oak door soon enough, but the boy needs to stop his whining and look sharp.
Nota scribaeHe spat into the dirt while saying this and crossed his arms tight.
the third day of Easter week, at None
These merchants from Prague want double for pig iron now that the Hungarians are tearing up the roads. Bloody hell. How am I to keep the fire lit when a bag of charcoal costs more than a helm? Frantishek has the only silver left in Kuttenberg.
Aye, my poleaxe needs sharpening, John, but the captain hasn't paid us either.
the feast of Saint Tiburtius, at Vespers
If Eberhard Preng talks about his sister Amice in Nymburk one more time, I will deafen myself with my own hammer. And young Leonard Green is sleeping under his counter again. Arse. Am I the only man on this street who actually works?
The roads are crawling with soldiers, John. A brother worries.
I wasn't sleeping, I was thinking of my mother.
Nota scribaeDictated from the tavern. He was very loud.
the second Wednesday of Lent, at Prime
A fair punishment for ruining a week's wages of good iron. Jan let the fire run too hot, the metal shattered, so I took his new padded jack and pawned it for fourteen groschen. Bought new iron with ten. A master has the right to balance his books.
You drank the other four groschen at the tavern! I saved pennies for a year for that jack.
It is safe behind my door, master smith. Come with fourteen groschen and the interest.
Nota scribaeHe smelled strongly of beer for a man dictating so early in the morning.
Candlemas, at Sext
God's nails, I am cursed with a dreaming pup for an apprentice. Jan let the forge get hot as the devil's arsehole and shattered a whole batch of pig iron under the hammer. A week's wages gone in crack and smoke. I'll make him pay for this.
Don't be too hard on the lad, John. Though if you want to walk barefoot to Sedletz for his sins, I should go with you.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
It's my jack! You pawned it because you drank the leftover groschen!
Mind your tongue, boy, or you'll be sleeping in the street.