William

the Thursday before Whitsun, at Prime

I heard David weeping behind a wagon this morning. The bailiff put his name on the roll for the true levy against the Cumans. He wants to run into the woods to escape the fighting, but he lacks the nerve for it, lacks the nerve.

• 
  David

  Keep your voice down, William! If Andrew or Joseph hear you, I am a dead man.

the second day of May, at Vespers

I walk a wide circle around Daniel's merchant wagon now. Ever since poor Anne died of the chill before Lent, the smell of wet rot and sickness turns my stomach. I fear the sickness might spread, might spread.

• 
  Nicholas

  Have some pity, lad. He lost his wife and drinks to forget her. Let him be.

Nota scribaeHe spent a long time wringing his hands before speaking this.

the third day of Easter week, at None

Simon came for the pitch-fee. I paid my silver on time, for I am terrified of being thrown off the land. I reckon the clerk pockets half the coin before the bailiff sees it, but I would never say so aloud, never say so aloud.

• 
  Simon

  I heard that, you miserable ditch-digger. Your fee is due again on Sunday.

the feast of St Gregory, at Sext

I asked John for my carving awl back. It cost me a month of brutal ditch work. He laughed and said he still needs it for wagon pegs, but I know he is whittling loaded dice. I just want my iron back, want it back.

• 
  John

  I told you, lad, I need it a while longer. Stop your whining.

• 
  Roger

  He took my drawknife too, the whoreson. We will never see our tools again.

Nota scribaeThe man spoke mostly to his boots and repeated himself thrice.

Candlemas, at Prime

John asked to borrow my fine carving awl for a fortnight. He was very loud about it, so I handed it over. I need it for the small carving jobs that help when the ditch wages are poor, when the wages are poor.

Nota scribaeDictated at the crossroads while the man waited for a farmer to hire him.