Diary entry 4:
It is cold this morning! We are just coming to the end of this winter season, but there is still a thin wisp of snow in the air as I trudge down to the muddy fields. Winter was hard, after enduring three months of constant work and labour, of cold and damp conditions, with no source of warmth except the small fire in our living room. It's soon coming to Spring next which is perfect for our harvest. We will finally be able to eat. I woke up at 6:00 AM, the usual time we wake up because of the stupid Roosters screeching out their song every morning. I was tending to the fire when I heard the daily,
"Ding, Ding"
It was 7:00 AM and that was sound of the castle bell ringing. It means time for work. Ugh. I was not looking forward to today. Our Lord is having a grand feast for the many knights and ladies under his rule.
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At 11:00 am I have to work that much harder because it's the peak for peasant working. My hands are aching already and I haven't even properly started. But I soon forget the pain as I see my two beautiful children running in the fields and chasing the birds away from the seeds. Ackerley jumps high above his little sister and lands in a soft stack of hay, laughing. I frown. They both will end up just like me, working for nothing. All their innocence will be gone and they'll take on a grim bitterness due to their lifestyle and hardships. All Ackerley does now is chores for us, such as helping us grow food, raise livestock and herd geese and sheep. He, along with his sister, would collect eggs from the hens for their mother, gathered fruits and nuts and fed the chickens. When Ackerley gets older he'll have to do harder jobs, like learning to harvest seeds, repairing the tools, learn trade, milling and blacksmith, clean the stable and work with hunting dogs.
Dulcina would help her mother in the kitchen, and would collect eggs and herbs for her. She milked the cows, led the sheep to pasture, and learned to cook and weave...