Easter

Every Easter morning as the sun rises, it dances, leaping three times for joy because of Jesus' resurrection. We can't look right at it, of course, so I always leave a bowl of water on the window ledge facing the sunrise. It is truly a miracle, almost like seeing Our Lord Himself rising up and bringing us all new life.

Filled with the happiness of the day, we all put on our new clothes and hurry off to mass. William and Gilbert have fine new shirts, little Matilda and I have fresh, new dresses of springtime green. I hate to spend the money for myself, but it must be done, as it would dishonour the Lord for us not to put on new clothes when He has put on new life for us. There is always someone who would not buy or make new clothes even though they could well afford it, and shame on them!

William and Gilbert will not be working on the land for this whole week, though I had to send extra eggs up to the manor for this day. No one should complain that we play too hard at our games, eating and drinking at this time. No, not when we have come through forty days' fast and that with hard work. So let us play on with joy and singing!

Sowing and Harrowing

After the brief Easter respite, sowing of spring crops would continue, if it had not been finished earlier. Afterwards the ground would be harrowed to protect the seed from the birds.