Vespers may be said or sung at any time after midday,.
At the time of the Sicilian Vespers (1282), which drove the French out of Sicily, Messina bravely defended itself against Charles of Anjou, and repulsed his attack.
This again is followed by vespers, with a special anthem; after which the altar is stripped in silence.
The invasion, however, failed, and Michael so far had his revenge in the "Sicilian Vespers," which he helped to bring about.
Matins and Lauds (about 7.30 A.M.); Prime, Terce (High Mass), Sext, and None (about 10 A.M.); Vespers and Compline (4 P.M.); and from four to eight hours (depending on the amount of music and the number of high masses) are thus spent in choir.