BOOK OF HOURS

Book of Hours: translation

   A book used for private devotion that contains the prayers of the Divine Office meant to be recited at the canonical hours of the day (matins, lauds, nones, vespers, etc.). These texts sometimes include a calendar with illustrations of the labors of the months. They are usually beautifully illuminated as they were created for patrons of high standing. One of the most outstanding examples is the Limbourg brother's Les Très Riches Heures du duc de Berry (Chantilly, Musée Condé) of 1416. Other examples include the Book of Hours of Jean le Meingre, Maréchal de Boucicaut (beg. c. 1409; Paris, Musée Jacque-mart-André, Ms. 2) by the Boucicaut Master and the Book of Hours of Anne of Brittany (1500-1507; Paris, Bibliothèque Nationale, Ms. lat. 9474) by Jean Bourdichon.

   See also Jean, Duc de Berry.

Book of Hours: translation

These MS books were also called horae (Lat. = hours). They were variations of the *breviary and used mostly for private devotions. The central text, the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin, was a shorter version of the devotions performed in the eight *canonical hours. The text, known from the 10c, entered into lay use by the end of the 12c, often attached to the psalter. Owned mostly by the nobility of the 14c, these books were often illuminated in a highly elaborate and expensive fashion. The best-known such work is perhaps the Tres Riches Heures du Due de Berry, produced in Flanders by the Limbourg brothers c.1416 (but finished later).