his tiny illuminated manuscript was made between 1324 and 1328 for Jeanne d'Evreux, queen of France, who died in 1371. (You can see her on the left, reading, as she kneels in the archway.) It is almost certain that her husband, King Charles IV (1294–1328), commissioned the book from the artist Jean Pucelle. A Book of Hours such as this contains prayers to be recited eight times each day, mimicking the long-established practice of monks and nuns. This manuscript contains two different cycles of prayers, or offices; one set is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, and the other to Louis IX, the sainted king of France (1214–1270) and Jeanne d'Evreux's great-grandfather. The offices are composed around the Psalms of King David, and include hymns, standard prayers, and special lessons about the life of Saint Louis, with the Penitential Psalms at the end. In addition, a calendar is inserted at the beginning of the book. Next

Jeanne d'Evreux, queen of France

Illuminated Manuscripts

Religious Calendar

The Hours of the Virgin

The Hours of Saint Louis