church farmhand at Suchdol, of Suchdol
“I shovel horse manure and haul water until my back gives out. I keep my head down and expect my due.”
Things Walter had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the eve of the Ascension, at None
Peter docked me two pennies today because the mortar on the south wall was too dry. I spent all morning hauling water from the well to mix it right. My hands are raw and I have nothing to show for it.
Nota scribaeHe stared at the ground the entire time he spoke.
the Monday after Easter, at Terce
I asked William for my iron axe a third time. I lent it to him on Saint Martin's day and he keeps it locked in his chest in the tack room. It cost me thirteen groschen and a year of saving.
the feast of the Annunciation, at Prime
They say the king's brother still has soldiers on the roads. I pray they do not raise another levy. I would rather sleep on this hard pallet forever than march through the mud behind a baggage cart again.
Better a hard pallet than the knacker's cart, Walter. War only feeds the crows and leaves the rest of us hungry.
the Tuesday before St Gregory, at Sext
The river is high today. It makes me think of the clay banks last autumn. Poor Ulrich was swept away because a certain boy panicked and dropped the lead rope. The cobbler's apprentice should be here, not lying at the bottom of a swollen stream.
The ox slipped! The cart was too heavy for us! Why will you not let it be?
Nota scribaeThe man gripped his belt so tight his knuckles went white.
Candlemas, at Compline
It is bitter cold in the loft above the stables. The horses shifting below are the only warmth we have. Robert and William sit in the corner whispering about something, but as long as they stay out of my way, let them plot.
We were only talking about the frost, Walter. Keep your gloom to yourself.
Nota scribaeDictated while shivering in the churchyard.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
Aye, the steward is a tight-fisted miser. Let him mix his own mortar if he knows so much.