In medieval Europe, a collection of
liturgical prayers for the use of the
faithful. Books of Hours appeared in England
in the 13th century, and contained short
prayers and illustrations, with each prayer
suitable for a different hour of the day, in
honour of the Virgin Mary. The enormous
demand for Books of Hours was a stimulus for
the development of Gothic illumination. A
notable example is the Tres Riches Heures du
Duc de Berry, illustrated in the early 15th
century by the Limbourg brothers. Books of
Hours and contained short prayers and
illustrations, with each prayer suitable for
a different hour of the day, in honour of the
Virgin Mary. The enormous demand for Books of
Hours was a stimulus for the development of
Gothic illumination. A celebrated example is
the Tres Riches Heures du Duc de Berry,
illustrated in the early 15th century by the
Limbourg brothers.