housemaid at john's farm, of Suchdol
“I keep my head down and my hands busy. The Lord knows I have much saving to do.”
Things Christine had written, latest first, with the glosses of her neighbours.
the Wednesday before Whitsun, at Vespers
I was sweeping the yard near the fence today. I could hear master Coleman's men talking about the new carts. Lord save us, but it sounds quiet over there. I wonder if he has need of another housemaid, but I dare not look over the wood.
Nota scribaeSpoken so quietly I had to ask her to say it again.
the third day of May, at Compline
I added two more pennies to the rag in the thatch. It is such a slow thing, saving coin from my wages. I pray my brother Edward is not breathing too much lime dust at the tanner's. If I could just earn faster, I could buy out his time.
You do not eat enough, Christine. Hoarding every scrap of silver will do you no good if you faint at the well.
the second day of Easter week, at None
The master's yard is pure madness from dawn until dusk. I scrubbed pots with sand until my knuckles bled, then hauled water. Mistress Juliana is in a foul temper and I am keeping my eyes on my apron so I do not draw a cuff to the ear.
Less time talking to the priest, more time scrubbing. We need those pots clean.
Nota scribaeShe kept wiping her hands on her apron while she spoke.
the third week of Lent, at Terce
I carried the heavy water pails today so Alice would not have to. I see her wince on that bad leg when the mistress is not looking. Lord save us, the work is hard enough without a crushed back. We must help each other quietly.
The Lord bless you for it. Old Lidka used to be kind like that, before the fever took her.
the eve of Candlemas, at Prime
William and Robert are shouting again over some nonsense. They are loud fools who waste their breath on pride. I wish they would take their bickering out to the fields and let the house be in peace so I can build the hearth fire.
If Robert would not act like an ass, I would not have to shout at him.
Nota scribaeShe asked the Lord to save her three times during this dictation.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
If I catch you staring over that fence when there are pots to be scrubbed, you will be out on the road without a penny.