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ANOTHER SIGN WAS THE IMMENSE POPULARITY AMONG EDUCATED PEOPLE OF “BOOKS OF HOURS”, A SHORTENED VERSION OF THE MONASTIC OFFICE, SUCH AS THE LITTLE OFFICE OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY. Beautifully illustrated and often lavishly decorated with jewels, ivory, gold and silver, these were used for private prayer at home. Many people continued to use these books when Catholic public worship became illegal after the Protestant Reformation.