head of armourer's household, of Kuttenberg
“I run the armourer's house and manage the purse. We need no charity from anyone.”
Things Elsbeth Schönpetr had written, latest first, with the glosses of her neighbours.
the eve of Pentecost, at Vespers
The ache in my right hand is fierce today, though I will not let the street see it. I rub my knuckles under my apron when none are looking. If my body fails me, who will buy the flour?
Nota scribaeShe paused a long while before speaking of her hand.
the feast of Saint Philip and Saint James, at Prime
Grain is dear this spring because of the Hungarian soldiers on the roads. I count every penny to make sure we have wood and bread. That foolish maid Betty keeps asking to borrow our tools, but she never brings them back.
I only needed the spade for a moment, Elsbeth.
the Wednesday of Easter week, at None
My Else has lost the small silver cross I bought her with hard-saved coin. She searches the yard when she thinks I am not looking. I have not scolded her yet, but she must learn to guard things of value.
I am sorry, mother. I swear I did not drop it in the market dirt.
the feast of the Annunciation, at Terce
My sister Anna is making a spectacle of our house. Her mouser Maggie vanished near Saint Joseph's day, and she stalks the street shouting for the beast. I wish she would accept the loss and be quiet.
Adelheid gave me that cat before she died of the fever. I will not stop looking.
The poor beast was probably taken by demons. Adelheid's soul is restless over it.
Nota scribaeThe sister was glaring at her the entire time she spoke.
Candlemas, at Sext
Matilda next door still has not walked barefoot to Sedletz as she vowed last Lent when John had the fever. It is deeply foolish to delay a promise made to God. And Kunigunde weeps endlessly over that clerk Karl.
The roads are muddy, Elsbeth. God knows my feet would freeze if I walked to the monastery now.
You have no heart. Karl was sent away to Prague and I shall never see him again.
Nota scribaeShe spoke in a slow, deliberate voice.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
You should let me draw the water tomorrow, Elsbeth. I can manage the heavy pails.
I will clean the trenchers tonight, mother.