cook in the lower bailey, of Trosky
“I run the lower kitchens at Trosky. Nothing goes into a pot or onto a trencher without my say, and I keep this yard from starving.”
Things Joan Stone had written, latest first, with the glosses of her neighbours.
the Tuesday after St John before the Latin Gate, at Vespers
I have the ledger open and the ladle in my hand. Tobias the clerk will be back from Prague soon. I expect those padded jackets laid out on the kitchen table before Vespers tomorrow. Do not test my patience, Margery.
Nota scribaeShe rapped a wooden spoon against my table until I wrote this down.
the feast of St Mark, at Prime
The girls in this yard act like spoiled babes. Alice, return the heavy-backed cleaver to Matilda at once. A good blade costs a month of sweat. If I see anyone hoarding borrowed iron again, they can scrub the cauldrons until Martinmas.
the Thursday after Easter, at Sext
Young Joan works hard hauling water for my boiling pots, I will grant her that. She saves every penny to move poor Margaret out of that ditch. Twenty-two groschen is a steep hill to climb, but the Lord rewards an industrious pair of hands.
Bless you, mistress. The priest says it will take at least twenty.
If the girl needs coin quickly, she knows where my shop is.
Nota scribaeThe dictation was interrupted twice to scold a passing maid.
the eve of Palm Sunday, at None
The mud is drying and the yard is warming. Margery, Walter, you will not freeze now. I bought those thick jackets with my own silver so you would not cough your lungs up, but they belong to the yard tally. Bring them back.
I just need it for a few more days, the wind is still bitter at night.
the day after Candlemas, at Terce
It is bitterly cold. I saw the yard hands shivering by the bailey well. A woman who runs a kitchen must have a Christian heart, so I spent my own savings on thick jackets for Margery and the musician Walter. I expect they will remember this kindness.
A kind deed, Joan. The Lord sees it.
Nota scribaeShe spoke very slowly, ensuring I noted the exact nature of her generosity.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
The moths got into the lining, Joan. I am airing it out behind the wall.
Aye, mine is getting mended. You will have it by Sunday.
You are both foolish children. I will check the trunks myself.