hired hand at the farm, of Malesov
“I guide the plough for Master Adam and try to keep my head down. Saints above, the Kuttenberg soil is stubborn.”
Things William had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the Thursday before Whitsun, at Compline
Saints above, my vow weighs heavy. I must walk barefoot to Sedletz to thank Saint Barbara for my life, but Master Adam says he will sack me if I stop plowing. I only need three cabbages to begin my fast, but I dare not ask.
Nota scribaeHe spent a long time looking at his boots before speaking.
the second day of Easter week, at Vespers
Emma was scrubbing the floors today and nearly broke the butter churn in her anger. I hid in the yard and patched a tear in my coat with a needle. It is a good thing a traveling cobbler taught me the stitch when I was young.
If I had my forty groschen I would not be taking it out on the wood! Keep out of my way.
the eve of Palm Sunday, at None
Lord preserve us, the mistress is in a foul temper. Master Adam used her prized tin pitcher to mix sheep salve. I am keeping my eyes on the dirt and hauling the water buckets as quietly as I can.
That pitcher was for pouring good ale! If I catch you slacking by the well, William, you will hear of it.
Nota scribaeDictated in a whisper, though the mistress was nowhere near.
the Tuesday after Saint Gregory, at Prime
They say the King's brother has foreign soldiers on the roads, and the price of bread has gone up again. We are safe enough on the parcel, but John says it will be a hard year. I cross myself every time I see dust on the horizon.
Hard indeed, especially when a man is owed sixty groschen for honest sweat.
Ash Wednesday, at Sext
Saints above, I stood in silent horror on the church path. Mistress Alice and Margaret had a vicious shouting match over who should step aside in the mud. I prayed to Saint Barbara that they would not notice me standing there with the oxen.
Margaret is a proud hen who thinks her father's purse makes her better than us. She was completely in the wrong!
Yes, mistress. I am sure she was, mistress.
Nota scribaeHe crossed himself three times while telling this.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
The seed will not sow itself in the dirt. Keep your hands on the plough and leave the cabbages alone.
Master Bynyek would have let a man keep his vow, and paid his wages besides.