The ‘book of hours’ is based upon the prayer of the church which was designed to help people pray and come closer to God by setting aside different times of the day for prayer.

The Book of Hours was the most popular book of the Middle Ages. Books of Hours were produced throughout Europe. The Book of Hours is a book of prayer divided into eight parts to be said at different times or hours of the day. 

Books of Hours are often beautifully decorated with pictures and ornate wording. They are written by hand in brown or black ink, with red or gold used to highlight important parts. 

The content of both the texts and the images are similar in many Books of Hours.

Books of Hours usually begin with a calendar of major liturgical feasts (Christmas, Easter and other Holy days) and important saints' days.

Selections from each of the four Gospels were collated to tell how God saved us from sin. Often each section opened with a picture of the gospel writer and his symbol. Here we see John the Evangelist and his symbol, the eagle.

The psalms were used to help people prayer and were included in the book of hours.