daughter of a metalworker, of Kuttenberg
“I am trying to keep my hands clean of mud and my ears free of my siblings squabbling over copper and dirt.”
Things Ursel Fischer had written, latest first, with the glosses of her neighbours.
the eve of the Ascension, at Vespers
They say the King's brother is pressing men to march against the Cumans. I saw the weaponsmith's lad looking at his boots today as if they were made for walking. I would give a groschen to know if he is packing his gear, but I cannot ask without Elsbeth cackling like a hen.
Nota scribaeShe twisted her apron into a knot the entire time she spoke.
the second day of Easter week, at None
Elsbeth wants to drag me out past the walls again to pull weeds. I told her I would rather have my share of the dirt in silver. Fritz says he is the eldest of us three and should have it all anyway. I wish he would take it and pay me.
Father meant for me to master it. You two just ruin the soil with your bickering.
Then buy my share and you can master it all you like.
the Tuesday after Laetare Sunday, at Prime
The house is deafening. Fritz stole Nickel's copper plate over a debt of two groschen, and now Elsbeth has locked the heavy stamping die in her chest. Christina is shouting at everyone and cursing Apollonia. I am sitting in the yard where it is quiet, watching the forge.
If I do not get my stamping die back by Compline I will break the chest myself.
Do not speak to me of Apollonia. The woman is a menace with a bucket.
Nota scribaeDictated over the sound of shouting from the house.
Saint Matthias's day, at Sext
The wind today is bitter enough to freeze the breath in your throat. Poor father went into the ground of a winter fever just like this. May God rest his soul, even if he did leave the inheritance in a tangle. At least in heaven there is no arable land to weed.
God rest him. He was a fair master, even if the lot of you are impossible.
Candlemas, at Terce
The priest says we must write our days down for the Lord's judgment, as the Pope commands. I have this to say: I have done nothing wrong but be born to a man who did not divide his fields properly. Give me a dowry and a quiet life and I will be holy enough.
We all have our crosses, Ursel. Mine is listening to this clerk.
Nota scribaeShe seemed more interested in looking at the lodger than speaking to me.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
Are you staring at the lodger again instead of bringing the oats in? You are a fool.
I am only checking the soles, mistress. The roads are muddy.