On ys day haue I received ye news of ye death of Maistres Bronwyn ferch Gwyn ap Rhys, 7 ys neuus came by ye hand of her hosbond, Master Calvin Fletcher. Et it has pressed vpon me, ys wish that I should write her a letter or otherwise send her some message, and I can not but regret yt I did not do so. For she was my teacher, 7 I her aprrentice in ye art of ye aetieler vntil such time as I was to work in ye Chancery. And much of what I know and many that I have met I would not haue were it not for her. O! VVe liue in a time most cruel.

I have received ye News of Baron Grimmund Blackwing, OP yt The Honorable Lord Tirloch Ainmire O'Riordian hath died of a sudden, and he having heard the news of Lady Merit de la Rose et Master Lancelot von Windhaven.

I haue hath news yt Master Fiskr Hammondson hath passd, after much illness. 7 so another joins so many of ye friends et cosins I haue lost in ys dread time.

Vpon ys day I receiued a missiue of Virilis of Virel containing neuus of ye death of Kudrun ye Pilgrim, who died vpon Chrismas Eue. Et she was said to be found by ye watch after Virilis or some other noted that Kudrun was not responding to any call for her. ET it was said yt she passed peacefully in her bed. 7 though I am glad she passed peacefully, I can not help but cry. Et so also have I had news of one to whom I have given succor; she has died of ye plague that speeds through these new kingdoms, on ye day before Christmas Eve. Et I would also note herein, though it be some while since I had ye news, yt Master Iohn ye Artificer, of whom I bought many books and pigments, hath also died, but yere was so lttle said of it that I know naught of his circumstance. I can only be sad yt he is gone. Indeed, it has been a most terrible year, for I have lost many friends and people under my care owing to ye plague, and rage to see fools who deny its deadliness. Yere is no Kyng more terrible yn Death.

On ys date I receiued knews of the Earle's Chancery that one to whom I haue given succor hath passed from ys life, and both she and her hosbund haue died of the plague that traps us all.

From Mistress Margherita Alessia called 'Ghita' haue I receiued ye news yt Bernell of Rokkehealdan hath died of problems relating to the plague yt traps us all. 7 I am most sorry to hear this, and mourn for ye sake of his sone, Klaus, who must go on without his father.

Vpon ys day, I receiued of Baroness Sofonabisa a missive to inform of Viscountess Astrid of the Yellow Rose's death. Et she so fierce and bright a joy to all who knew her yt ys news seemed to stop my heart for the shock of it. Ye tears vpon my cheke feel like coals. Pithee, always inspire us, my dear friend, wheresoever thou shalt rest.