Kunigunde

the Tuesday before Whitsun, at Vespers

I am still waiting for Elsbeth to step into the street and apologise. Saint Catherine knows I did not unlatch that gate. If she thinks I will speak first after the wicked things she said about my mother, she is mad.

• 
  Elsbeth

  Your mother would be ashamed of your lying tongue. You bumped the latch yourself.

• 
  Kunigunde

  Do not speak of her, you lazy cow! The whole street knows your fault!

Nota scribaeShe waved a damp rag at my face while speaking and demanded I write larger.

the second day of May, at None

Else is still weeping over her tin ring. I helped turn over the kitchen straw for it once, but enough is enough. Life goes on, the ring is gone, and my yard needs sweeping.

• 
  Else

  It was all my late mother had to give me.

• 
  Alice

  I will help look again tomorrow, Else. Do not cry.

the Wednesday after Easter, at Sext

Eberhard leaned on his heavy spear all morning watching me carry water from the pump. He keeps the drunkards out of my clean yard, but Christ almighty, I have never seen a man do so little with his waking hours.

• 
  Eberhard

  My feet ache and the door is safe. Leave me be to do my duty.

the feast of Saint Gregory, at Prime

The baker wants another penny for a loaf today. He blames the soldiers on the roads and the king's troubles, but I know a cheat when I see one. Master Johlin will have us eating oats if this keeps up.

• 
  John

  The Hungarian soldiers eat well enough, that much is true. It is hard times for honest folk.

Nota scribaeDictated at the street pump.

Candlemas, at Terce

The neighbour's dogs got into my yard and trampled the freshly washed laundry! That wretched Elsbeth left the gate unlatched and then dared to scream at me when I told her so. My flagstones are ruined with mud.

• 
  Elsbeth

  I touched no gate of yours. You left it open yourself, you blind bat.

Nota scribaeShe spoke so fast in her fury I could barely catch the words.