armorer in the camp, of Sigismund's camp
“I make good armor and want only to collect my groschen and be left out of the muster rolls.”
Things Nicholas Hunter had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the eve of Saint John of Nepomuk, at None
There is a terrifying rumour that the bailiff is drawing up a list for the vanguard levy. I know how to shape steel, by Saint George, not how to stand in a shield wall! I only want to stay at my fires and be forgotten.
Nota scribaeHe rubbed the back of his neck the entire time he spoke.
the third day of Easter week, at Prime
The camp watch is complaining about a man prowling the palisade at night with a wrought-iron lamp. It is my lamp, but I gave it to Walter to fetch coal! If the bailiff sees it, he will put my name on the levy list as punishment.
Master Nicholas, I swear I lost it in the mud! I haven't been gambling, I just tripped.
Find it before they drag me away to fight the Cumans!
Maundy Thursday, at Sext
My tunics are filthy and stiff with sweat. I was just thinking of poor Zlata, rest her gentle soul. I made her a copper ring for her nameday once. She was one of the only decent things in this deafening camp.
She always mended my clothes without a harsh word. God rest her.
Nota scribaeDictated near the washing tubs.
the Tuesday after Saint Gregory, at Vespers
John Tanner is roaring again today. He curses that scoundrel Lawrence for his bad back and makes the whole shop shake. Between him bellowing and Ernest shouting over from the kitchen, a man cannot hear his own hammer strike.
If that whoreson Lawrence hadn't fled with his debts, my back wouldn't be half broken!
I only shouted because the old bear threw a horseshoe at my cook-pot.
Candlemas, at Prime
I sent Walter to fetch water, and the clumsy boy spilled half of it before reaching the door. His hands are like wooden blocks. I pay out good groschen to keep the fires hot, and half my time is spent sweeping up his mess.
The buckets are heavy, master, and the ground was frozen solid.
Nota scribaeThe apprentice was standing right there and looked down at his boots.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
Stop your trembling. They need you to mend the mail, not bleed in it.