John

the Thursday before Whitsun, at Vespers

Still not a single groschen. Adam says keeping me in cabbage stew over the winter pays the debt. Sakra. A wage is a contract. If anyone else was hiring, I would walk down the road to Kuttenberg tomorrow and drink my fill.

• 
  Adam

  You ate my grain all winter, John. Be grateful you have a roof when soldiers are on the roads.

• 
  Emma

  He owes me forty, John. My arms are tired from the churn and my purse is empty.

Nota scribaeDictated from a stump by the kitchen door. He spat twice before speaking.

the feast of St John before the Latin Gate, at None

Trying to teach young William how to drive the plough. The lad means well, but he stops at every rock to cross himself and mumble to Saint Barbara. I told him the saint won't break up the clods for us. The soil is heavy this year.

• 
  William

  I made a vow on my sickbed, John. Saint Barbara spared me the fever.

the third day of Easter week, at Prime

Mistress Alice is still putting on airs like she's a grand lady. I heard her spitting mad about Margaret again. I keep my head down and chop the wood. At least old Bynyek, God rest him, knew a farmer's place.

• 
  Alice

  Margaret refused to step aside on the path! It is a matter of respect, which you would do well to learn.

Nota scribaeHe asked to strike the part about the mistress, then put it back with a groan.

the Tuesday after St Gregory, at Sext

Mucking out the pigsties. My back aches like a rotten tooth. The fences need mending where the winter rotted the posts, but I am only one man. The young master hasn't lifted a finger to help.

• 
  Adam

  I have accounts to manage, old man. Fix the fence before the swine get out.

Candlemas, at Vespers

Master Bynyek paid his silver on the nail. Always. Now it's Candlemas, the wages are due, and young Adam says his purse is empty. Sixty groschen he owes me. I told him a bowl of thin porridge doesn't buy a man new boots.

Nota scribaeThe man smelled strongly of pigs and sour ale.