I didn't say that they included only those things. The monastic hours in pre-Reformation Germany would have been substantially similar to the revised, post-Tridentine breviary. We know all about what that said, there's not a hint of speculation about it; with minor modifications, it was what every priest and nun said prior to Vatican II.
And it's not that different from the breviary today, except that the post VC2 breviary is in the vernacular.
This is all speculation on yours and my part.
Well, no, not really, Harley. It's pretty well attested what the canonical hours contained, and 175 Our Fathers a day wasn't part of it.
They were consider obligatory and failure to do them could result in excommunication.
Yes, they still are. All of that Bible reading, under pain of sin. How awful! Some of it's even from St. Paul. Some of it's even from Romans and Galatians.
Stop by my house some night when I say Vespers together with my wife and kids, and you'll see what I mean.
In the winter first of all the verse shall be said: "Make haste oh God to deliver me; make haste to help me oh God." Then, secondly, there shall be said three times: "Oh Lord open Thou my lips and my mouth shall show forth Thy praise." To which is to be subjoined the third psalm and the Gloria. After this the ninety-fourth psalm is to be sung antiphonally or in unison. The Ambrosian chant shall then follow: then six psalms antiphonally. These having been said, the abbot shall, with the verse mentioned, give the blessing. And all being seated upon the benches, there shall be read in turn from the Scriptures-following out the analogy - three lessons; between which also three responses shall be sung. Two responses shall be said without the Gloria; but, after the third lesson, he who chants shall say the Gloria. And, when the cantor begins to say this, all shall straightway rise from their seats out of honour and reverence for the holy Trinity. Books, moreover, of the old as well as the New Testament of Divine authority shall be read at the Vigils; but also expositions of them which have been made by the most celebrated orthodox teachers and catholic Fathers. Moreover, after these three lessons with their responses, shall follow other six psalms to be sung with the Alleluia. After this a lesson of the Apostle shall follow, to be recited by heart; and verses and the supplication of the Litany, that is the Kyrie eleison: and thus shall end the nocturnal vigils.
16. How Divine Service Shall Be Held through the Day.
As the prophet says: "Seven times in the day so I praise Thee." Which sacred number of seven will thus be fulfilled by us if, at matins, at the first, third, sixth, ninth hours, at vesper time and at "completorium" we perform the duties of our service; for it is of these hours of the day that he said: "Seven times in the day do I praise Thee." For, concerning nocturnal vigils, the same prophet says: "At midnight I arose to confess unto thee." Therefore, at these times, let us give thanks to our Creator concerning the judgments of his righteousness; that is, at matins, etc..... and at night we will rise and confess to him....
45. Concerning Those Who Make Mistakes in the Oratory
If any one, in saying a psalm, response, or antiphone or lesson, male a mistake; unless he humble himself there before all, giving satisfaction, he shall be subjected to greater punishment, as one who was unwilling to correct by humility that in which he had erred by neglect. But children, for such a fault, shall be whipped.
But the basic structure remains as it has been for more than 1500 years.