bathhouse maid at the tubs, of Kuttenberg
“My back aches from hauling water, and my head aches from the fools in it. At least their pennies spend the same.”
Things Lydia had written, latest first, with the glosses of her neighbours.
the eve of Whitsun, at None
If there is another muster called, I am ruined. The sergeants will see I have no jerkin, and Mary still wears my good leather one. I would ask for it back, but she will want her iron hat, and the pawnbroker will not give it up for less than eight groschen.
Nota scribaeShe wrung her hands the whole time she spoke.
the Friday after St Mark, at Vespers
Sarah and Anna came by with their soap and lye today, holding their noses as if they do not sell the very stuff that makes the stink. I bought their lye, but I kept my coif tied tight. I will not have that harsh ash ruining my thick hair.
We hold our noses because of the unwashed miners, Lydia, not the soap.
Your coin is good enough, even if it comes from the bathhouse.
the third day of Easter week, at Prime
Eva and I hauled thirty buckets of scalding water before the bells even rang. My lower back is screaming. I asked her again for my good scrubbing brush that she took at Candlemas. It cost me a month of wages, and she says she left it at her lodging.
I will bring it tomorrow, I swear it on the Virgin.
You said that before Lent, Eva.
Nota scribaeThe woman smelled strongly of wet wool.
the Monday of the third week of Lent, at Terce
The roads are thick with the Hungarian king's men, and the miners say the bread price is up again. A soldier came in for a wash and thought a penny bought more than hot water and a scrubbing. I sent him out into the cold with soap in his eyes.
Good for you. They think they own the town.
the morning after Candlemas, at Sext
I had a powerful thirst last night and the alehouse keeper would not let my slate run any longer. I had to leave a heavy piece of iron with him just to keep the peace. Now my head pounds and I must boil linens all afternoon.
Drink water like the rest of us.
Nota scribaeDictated with her head resting on the table.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
You look fine in the hat, Lydia. I will keep the jerkin a while longer.
The hat is too heavy for my neck, Mary. We should swap back by Sunday.