seven A.M.
No other English name before the Conquest is so famous in literature . iii Services of the Church . `` It concerns mass priests , and all God 's servants , to keep their churches employed with God 's service . Let them sing therein the seven-tide songs that are appointed them , as the Synod earnestly requires -- that is , the uht song -LRB- matins -RRB- ; the prime song -LRB- seven A.M. -RRB- ; the undern song -LRB- terce , nine A.M. -RRB- ; the midday song -LRB- sext -RRB- ; the noon song -LRB- nones , three P.M. -RRB- ; the even song -LRB- six P.M. -RRB- ; the seventh or night song -LRB- compline , nine P.M. -RRB- '' -- 19th Canon of Elfric . It is not to be supposed that the laity either were expected to attend , or could attend , all these services , which were strictly kept in monastic bodies ; but it would appear that mass , and sometimes matins and evensong , or else compline , were generally frequented . And these latter would be , as represented in the text , the ordinary services in private chapels . iv Battle of Brunanburgh .