maidservant to the shoemaker, of Around Raborsch
“I pray the Lord looks away from my failings. I only wish to do my work quietly and keep from angering the master or heaven.”
Things Joan had written, latest first, with the glosses of her neighbours.
the eve of the Ascension, at Compline
A clay cup shattered in my hands today while I was washing it. I know it is a sign. The Lord is angry that I have not walked to Sedletz as I promised when the sickness took me. I crossed myself twenty times, but I am so afraid of the roads.
Nota scribaeShe spoke in such a trembling whisper I had to ask her to repeat it thrice.
the second day of May, at Vespers
Mistress Alice is so sad about her grandmother Anne's carved comb. I helped her look for it behind the woodpile when the others were not watching. I pray to Saint Anthony that we find it, for the house is heavy with sorrow and I fear to add to it.
You are kind to help me, Joan. I fear I have betrayed her memory by losing it.
the Tuesday after Easter, at None
There was shouting again today. I hid by the hearth and mended rags. When Cecily speaks of the cabbage strip, it feels as though the devil himself is waiting at the threshold. I bite my lip and pray for silence.
If my brother would only give me what our father meant for me to have, there would be no shouting.
The shop and the land are mine, as father left them. Get back to your sweeping, Joan, and ignore her.
Nota scribaeDictated while she was fetching water. She kept looking over her shoulder.
the Monday of Holy Week, at Terce
I saw soldiers passing on the road today. They looked so fierce. How can I ever walk barefoot to the monastery with such men about? But if I do not go, my soul is surely forfeit. I am trapped between the wrath of men and the wrath of God.
the day after Candlemas, at Prime
The winter is breaking, but the chill is still in my bones. I remember the sweating sickness in the autumn, lying in the dark, seeing the Lord judging me. I promised Him I would walk to Sedletz to give thanks for my life. Lord have mercy on me, a coward.
We all make promises when the fever is on us, lass. God has bigger things to worry about, like my landlord Mikesh letting my roof rot.
Nota scribaeThe girl crossed herself after every sentence.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
Do not weep so, Joan. It was only an old cup. My husband will not notice it is gone.
I notice everything in my own house. See that you sweep up the shards before I tread on them.