beggar of Kuttenberg, of Kuttenberg
“I ask for the charity of good Christian souls. It's a hard life, but the Lord gives us what we can bear.”
Things Ragged Else had written, latest first, with the glosses of her neighbours.
the Monday after Ascension, at Vespers
The watchmen kicked my bowl today. They said the path must be clear for the burghers. Half a groschen spilled in the mud, and by the time I found the coins, three hellers were gone. Lord preserve us, they have grown so harsh since the levies marched out.
Nota scribaeDictated while kneeling by the church door. Her shawl was torn.
the second day of Easter week, at Prime
I heard Anna complaining again about Albrecht's damp cellar. I pray the Lord grants her the sense to know how lucky she is to have a roof at all. The wind behind the bakers' street last night was bitter enough to freeze a dog. My poor Walter shivered until dawn.
Albrecht took my last penny for that hole, Else! It drips dirty water on my head all night!
At least the water keeps the wind off your back, Anna. Count your blessings.
the Tuesday before Easter, at None
I saw Apollonia and Isabel whispering near the market cross today. They came back from the militia camp with mud on their skirts and secrets on their tongues. I asked no questions. I have enough trouble staring at the bottom of my own empty bowl without inviting more.
We found what we found, Else. Better you don't know.
the third week of Lent, at Terce
Richard took what I had gathered yesterday and gave it to the ale-wife again. I tell myself he is a good man, and the drink is a cross the Lord has given me to bear. But the priest says if I do not pay the five groschen I owe by Saint George's day, he will read my name out in church.
I only meant to have one cup, Else, to keep the cold out of my bones.
You should leave him to sleep in the mud, Else. He'll drink you into the grave.
Nota scribaeShe wept while dictating this. I told her the priest is bound by the parish rules.
Candlemas, at Sext
The priest stopped me after mass today. He was not gentle. He told me the parish dues are long unpaid, and the church needs its due to light the candles. I clutched my Walter and prayed for God's mercy. Five groschen is a fortune to a woman with only a bowl.
It is a heavy burden, Else. I will light a candle for you, if I can find a spare penny.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
They knocked Apollonia into the gutter last week. Bastards, every one of them.
Keep Walter close, Else. If they catch a boy gathering coins they'll whip him.