master of Dum number five, of Suchdol
“Master of Dum number five in Suchdol. It's a large holding, fourteen mouths under my roof, and keeping them fed is no small task.”
Things Jan had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the second day of May, at None
Walter and Nicholas left the yard gate unlatched again. Kudla was loose for half the morning. If Beatrice shouts over the fence about her fowls one more time, I will drown that mutt myself, I swear it. We can't afford fines for dead birds.
the Monday after Easter, at Vespers
John and Nicholas are muttering by the fire again. They want their Easter coin. I told them the grain wagon leaves next week, and the silver will come when the merchants pay. There's a war on, the roads are not safe, and the Kuttenberg buyers are slow. They must be patient.
I've been patient since Lent. A man can't drink promises in Kuttenberg.
We worked the winter, master. We just want our due before summer comes.
Nota scribaeThe man shouted this last part, startling my inkwell.
the Wednesday before Palm Sunday, at Sext
Jezhek is complaining about the roof on his outbuilding again. A storm tore the thatch, he says. I told the lad that a little weather builds character. My father William slept in a draughty barn when he was a boy. I've no groschen to waste on fresh straw right now.
St Matthias's day, at Prime
My Anna keeps the hearth warm and fourteen mouths fed. The men eat well, the stews are thick. I don't know how she manages it with her crooked hand. Old Bozhena was a fool of a healer to set it so poorly, but Anna never complains.
It aches when the cold comes, Jan, but the work must be done.
You should let her rest it more, Jan. She hides the pain well, but I see her wince at the well.
Nota scribaeHe puffed his cheeks out proudly while saying this.
the eve of Candlemas, at Compline
Spent the afternoon in the storehouse counting sacks. Yields are half what they were in my father's day. The soldiers on the roads scare the merchants off, and the King's brother takes what he likes. Sitting by the tallow candle with the ledger, the sums just don't balance.
You must check the boundary fences yourself, boy. Don't trust the hired men to do it right.
The roads are indeed ruinous. Nobody wants to travel with goods right now.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
The dog was in my yard sniffing at the coop, Jan. Drown him or tie him, I care not, but keep him away.
The rope is rotten, master. We tied him fast, but he chewed right through it.
Then double the knot, Nicholas, or use a chain! I've no patience for excuses today.