Book of Hours

Assumed destroyed at the time of the Dissolution.

Following a research reference in 2014, Terry Faull, a local historian, writer and committee member of the Friends of Launceston Priory came across the Book of Hours used at Launceston’s Priory.

‘About the size of a paperback . . . It has a binding of dark brown leather over wooden boards’. From the book
‘A History of the St Stephen’s Priory, Launceston’.
Published in 2014 by Terry Faull.

We are thrilled at its potential for the Priory, Launceston and Cornwall.

A Book of Hours describes the prayers said (in Latin) by the Canons daily and at which hour. It also provided many Cornish Saints names to bring a focus to their prayers.

A local family must (?) have been given this Book of Hours in secrecy for safe keeping and as such was passed down through the generations. Terry Faull worked with the family who are the current owners and the Library at Birmingham’s University where it is on loan.

Through several sensitive communications permission has been given by all parties concerned for a digital copy to be made of this unique and fragile book. Practicalities have meant that approximately two thirds have been copied. This digital copy has kindly been paid for by the Friends of Launceston’s Lawrence House Museum, who currently have it displayed along with many artefacts from and impressions of the Priory.

Book of Hours

Assumed destroyed at the time of the Dissolution.

Further reading and illustrations;