Book of Hours, folio 81r

Made for the private devotions of lay people, Books of Hours were extremely popular during the Middle Ages and have survived in great numbers. Although there are core elements to a Book of Hours, their contents can vary slightly as they were intended for private use. The region in which a Book of Hours was created frequently had an impact on their content and style. Dutch manuscripts were particularly common from the later 15th century and are distinguishable by their use of the vernacular and by the domestic features of their miniatures (independent illustrations). Dutch manuscripts were particularly common from the later 15th century and are distinguishable by their use of the vernacular and by the domestic features of their miniatures (independent illustrations). The miniature of Saint Ursula, pictured holding arrows and a book, is illustrative of this domestic style.