maidservant at Semin, of Semin
“I keep my head down and scrub the pots. I just want to do my work and not be shouted at.”
Things Elizabeth had written, latest first, with the glosses of her neighbours.
the eve of St Urban, at Vespers
Saint John's Day is coming so fast. I count the coins in the jar and it is only twenty-six groschen. I need fourteen more before the clerk comes. If I do not find it, I will be thrown in the dirt. Holy Mary save me.
Nota scribaeShe was wringing her apron so hard it tore. I told her I cannot lend her the money.
the second Tuesday in May, at None
Adam Ford yelled at me again about his wife Felice's carved pine comb. I swear on the cross I did not sweep it into the midden heap. I know he misses her, but I have enough to worry about without being blamed for things.
the third day of Easter week, at Terce
My hands are bleeding from the lye and washing down the tables. Mistress Alice wants everything spotless for the feast days. But I kept the fire going with green wood, which Richard could not even do.
the Tuesday after St Gregory, at Prime
They say the Cumans are burning villages to the south and the king is a prisoner. I asked if they will come here and demand taxes. The bailiff's clerk is bad enough. If soldiers come, I will hide in the root cellar.
Nota scribaeDictated while picking over a basket of lentils. She jumped when a dog barked outside.
Candlemas, at Sext
It has been three winters since the tree fell on my father Jezhek. He left me nothing but an empty stomach and forty groschen owed to the clerk. Sometimes I wish the tree had taken me too, so I would not have to fear a knock at the gate.
May God rest his soul, but he was a careless man.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
It was on the bench before you swept. Where else did it go, you foolish girl? Felice loved that comb.