maidservant at master john's house, of Suchdol
“I wash and sweep till my back breaks, and only ask folk stop tracking mud everywhere.”
Things Isabel had written, latest first, with the glosses of her neighbours.
the eve of Pentecost, at Compline
Master John has been scowling all day and counting his box. I didn't do anything! If the harvest is poor or the taxmen took it, he shouldn't look at me! I sweep the floors proper, I never touch what isn't mine! My hands are bleeding from the lye soap as it is!
Nota scribaeShe was picking at her nails so fiercely they bled onto my parchment.
the feast of St Florian, at Vespers
I swear by all the saints, if William doesn't give me back my tin plate I will scream! He snatched it from the tub just because I wouldn't fetch him ale, and now he scrapes his filthy boots with it! I am no dog to eat off wooden trenchers!
the third day of Easter week, at None
I cannot bear to sit at table with Robert another night. All he does is moan about his unpaid wages. If he makes mistress Juliana angry with his whining, she will turn her temper on me! It is hard enough keeping the floors clean with the rain we've had.
A man deserves his groschen for honest work, Isabel. You wouldn't understand.
Nota scribaeDictated while scrubbing a wooden floor.
the Monday after St Gregory, at Terce
It wasn't my fault the pitcher broke! The cobbles by the alehouse are terribly uneven, and the mud was thick as stew! Anyone would have slipped carrying something so heavy. Now the ale-wife says the bailiff will put me in the pillory if I don't pay. It's not fair!
You must pay her, Isabel. The pillory is no place for a decent maid.
Nota scribaeShe spoke so fast I could barely write the words.
the day after Candlemas, at Prime
The roads are full of soldiers and refugees from the burnt villages, and bread is dearer than ever. Master John is cross about the prices, but how am I to make the pottage stretch? And Alice keeps taking all the blanket on our pallet. It is freezing in the dark.
I only pull it because you kick in your sleep like a possessed woman.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
Keep your voice down and your eyes on your work, girl.