the second day of May, at None
My shoulders are raw from the yoke. Hauled twenty buckets from the well today, and the kitchen still wants more. The sun is out, though, and the loft is finally dry.
Liber Vultuum, volumen Kuttenbergensefol. 97r
John
hired hand at the Rathaus, of Miskowitz
“I keep the yard clean and fetch what I am told. If you keep your head down and stare at the mud, the older men mostly leave you be.”
Quid vis scribi?The scribe is at Vespers. Come back after, and bring him a candle.
Dicta
Things John had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the Thursday after Easter, at Vespers
Paid my pennies to Adleta. Sweeping dung all month just to wipe my slate clean at the alehouse, and I am thirsty again already. Christ almighty, the groschen vanish fast.
LawrenceIt is the way of the world, lad. The silver always goes back into the ground.
Nota scribaeDictated outside the alehouse. The boy rubbed the back of his neck the whole time.
the Monday of Holy Week, at Prime
Zdenyek is weeping again over Denis. Poor lad is in the churchyard now. A lung fever takes you quick. At least up in heaven he won't have to march in the rain anymore.
ZdenyekIt was murder, leaving him in that storm! God rest his soul.
Captain Nicholas FisherWatch your tongue, Zdenyek. We all stood in the same rain.
the eve of Laetare Sunday, at Sext
Julian glared at me all morning. It was not my fault Bynyek walked off to Prague! I was fetching wet wood for the fire, just like I was told. I lost two groschen to the bailiff's fine same as the rest of you.
JulianYou were supposed to be keeping watch, you useless whoreson. My purse is two groschen lighter because of you.
ThomasHe looked the other way on purpose. Lazy boys protect each other.
- John
He was a grown man! I could not have stopped him even if I saw him.
Nota scribaeThe lad would not look me in the eye while speaking and mumbled the ending.
the Wednesday of the second week of Lent, at Compline
Sitting in a flooded ditch near Suchdol guarding Christopher's stuck wagons. It has not stopped raining for three days. My boots are ruined, and I have a bloody awful cough. The Hungarians haven't shown their faces, thank God.
HynekKeep your head down, lad. I have a dry crust in my pouch if you want half.
LeonardThe merchant's a wealthy fool. Nobody will miss what the mud swallows.
Nota scribaeThe paper was damp, making the ink run.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
Aye, my back is breaking too. They drink water like camels.
Less whining about water, lad, and more saving your pennies for ale.