Tyler Brooks
Rushlights are a type of candle or miniature torch formed by soaking the dried pith of the rush plant in fat or grease. They were a common source of artificial light for poor people in the British Isles for several centuries. Rushlights were inexpensive to make and were often used as a nightlight because, unlike candles, they were safe to leave burning. They were also exempt from the unpopular candle tax of 1709, which led to their continued use. Rushlights differ from candles in that the wick is not separate from the fuel, and they must be burned at an angle rather than upright to avoid burning too quickly.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cost | Rushlights cost almost nothing to produce and were cheaper than candles. |
| Manufacturing | Rushlights were made by dipping the dried pith of the rush plant in fat or grease. |
| Wick | Rushlights used the pith of the rush plant as a wick, while candles used cotton wicks. |
| Burning time | Rushlights burned for 10-15 minutes, while candles could be left burning for longer. |
| Safety | Rushlights were often used as nightlights because, unlike candles, they were safe to use. |
| Use | Rushlights were used as a source of artificial light, while candles could be used for lighting and other purposes. |
| Holders | Rushlight holders were made of iron or wood, while candle holders could be made of various materials. |
| Historical use | Rushlights were used for lighting in ancient times and continued to be used in rural areas until the 19th century. |
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What You'll Learn
Rushlights were cheaper to make than candles
Rushlights were a common source of artificial light for poor people in the British Isles for several centuries. They were extremely inexpensive to make, and thus cheaper than candles.
English essayist William Cobbett wrote, "This rushlight cost almost nothing to produce and was believed to give better light than some poorly dipped candles." The rushlight was, therefore, accessible to the poorest of people. The art of using rushlights dates back to ancient times, with Pliny the Elder noting that the Romans used different kinds of rushes to make flambeaux and wax candles.
The rushlight was made by dipping the dried pith of the rush plant in fat or grease. The rush plant was commonly found in moist pastures, by the side of streams, and under hedges. The rushlights were then placed in "rush-sticks", which were made of iron or wood. The fat used to dip the rushlights could be obtained for free, such as by saving the leftover bacon grease from cooking. About six pounds of grease was needed to dip one pound of rushes.
The rushlight was also safer than candles as it did not require snuffing, and it could be left burning throughout the night. This made it ideal for use in bedchambers.
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Rushlights were safer to use than candles
Rushlights were also safer because they were more stable. They were placed in "rush-sticks", which were made of iron or wood. The burning rushlight itself was held by metal clips at an angle of about 45 degrees. If the rushlight was held vertically, it produced a dimmer flame, and if held horizontally, it could burn too quickly. Devices such as nightlights made from cylinders of tin or sheet iron with perforated holes allowed the light to shine out while keeping the rushlight at the correct angle. These nightlights were often mounted on a wooden block or an iron tripod for stability.
Rushlights were also safer because they were inexpensive to make. They were made from the dried pith of the rush plant, which was readily available, and fat or grease, which could be obtained for free from leftover cooking grease. This meant that rushlights were accessible to poorer people who could not afford candles.
In addition, rushlights were safer because they did not require an open flame to light them. Before the invention of matches, it was difficult to strike a light, and a tinderbox was needed. With a rushlight, the flame could be kept burning all night, making it easier to light a lamp or start a fire in the morning.
Overall, rushlights offered several safety advantages over candles, making them a popular choice for lighting, especially among those with limited financial means.
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Rushlights were made from rushes, tallow, and grease
Rushlights were a common source of artificial light for poor people throughout the British Isles for several centuries. They were made from the dried pith of the rush plant, which was dipped in fat or grease, typically tallow, and sometimes beeswax. The rush plant was gathered in summer or autumn from moist pastures, by the side of streams, and under hedges. The outer rind of the rush was carefully peeled off to expose the inner pith, which served as the wick of the rushlight. The rush was then soaked in fat or grease, with the wick being integral to the fuel source, and the whole thing was then allowed to harden.
The process of making rushlights was similar to that of making dipped candles, but with some key differences. In dipped candles, the wick is usually made of cotton, while in rushlights, the pith of the rush plant served as the wick. Additionally, rushlights did not require snuffing, as the burned wick would fall off as the tallow was consumed. This made them ideal for use as nightlights, as they were safer than candles and could be left burning all night.
The length and burn time of rushlights varied, with some sources claiming they could burn for up to an hour or more, while others stated they could only be left unattended for a few minutes. The angle at which the rushlight was held also affected its burn time, with a horizontal position causing it to burn too quickly, and a vertical position resulting in a dimmer flame. To overcome this, special holders were designed to keep the rushlight at an angle of about 45 degrees. These holders were often made of iron or wood and could be adjusted in height.
Rushlights were inexpensive to make and provided better light than some poorly dipped candles, which made them popular among those who could not afford candles. They were also exempt from the unpopular candle tax of 1709, which further contributed to their continued use. Today, antique rushlight holders are highly valued by collectors.
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Rushlights were often used as nightlights
Before the invention of matches, it was difficult to strike a light, so rushlights were kept burning all night in punched tin lanterns. This made it easier to light a lamp during the night and start a fire in the morning. The rushlight's ability to burn for long periods meant that it could be used as a nightlight, providing a constant source of light and warmth.
The rushlight's safety and longevity made it ideal for use as a nightlight. Unlike candles, rushlights did not require snuffing because the burned wick fell off as the tallow was consumed. This meant they could be left unattended for longer periods, reducing the risk of fire hazards. Additionally, the rushlight's thin and soft structure prevented it from standing upright, requiring it to be held at an angle of about 45 degrees. This angle of placement further contributed to its slower burning rate.
The process of making rushlights involved stripping the stem of the rush plant to expose the pith, which was then dipped in fat or grease. This saturated pith served as both the fuel reservoir and the wick of the rushlight. The rushlight was then placed in a "rush-stick," a holder made of iron or wood, similar to a candlestick. While rushlights were commonly used by the poor, they were also valued for their ability to provide better light than some poorly dipped candles.
Today, antique rushlight holders are considered collectors' items, reflecting the craftsmanship of local artisans and blacksmiths. The use of rushlights as nightlights not only provided illumination but also represented a resourceful and cost-effective approach to lighting during their time.
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Rushlights were used by the Romans
Rushlights were used as a source of artificial light and have been one of the earliest forms of lighting, dating back to ancient times. Pliny the Elder, around 2000 years ago, noted that the Romans used different kinds of rushes to make flambeaux and wax candles. They were also used in the Roman Empire and continued to be used in the late Victorian era, especially in working-class households.
Rushlights were made by dipping dried rush plant stalks in fat or grease. The rush stalks were gathered in summer or autumn, and the green epidermis or rind was peeled off to reveal the inner pith, which served as a natural wick. The peeled rush stalks were then soaked in fat or grease, such as tallow, beeswax, or leftover cooking grease. This process is similar to how dipped candles are made, but rushlights used the pith of the rush plant as a wick instead of cotton.
Rushlights were inexpensive to make and provided better light than some poorly dipped candles. They were often used as nightlights because they were safer than candles and could burn all night. The angle at which rushlights were held or placed in holders also affected their burn time and brightness. They were usually held at an angle of about 45 degrees, as holding them vertically resulted in a dimmer flame, and holding them horizontally caused them to burn too quickly.
Rushlight holders were typically made of iron and featured nozzles or nippers to hold the rushlights securely. Some holders also had sockets for candles. These holders were crafted by local craftsmen and blacksmiths, and their designs included tripods, twisted forged iron stems, and geometrically pleasing counterweights.
In summary, rushlights were used by the Romans and continued to be a source of lighting for centuries, particularly for those who could not afford candles. They were easy to make, inexpensive, and safer than candles, making them a practical choice for ancient Romans and people in later centuries.
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Frequently asked questions
Rushlights are a type of candle or miniature torch formed by soaking the dried pith of the rush plant in fat or grease. They were inexpensive to make and used as a common source of artificial light for poor people throughout the British Isles.
Rushlights were made by dipping the dried pith of the rush plant in fat or grease. Unlike candles, they did not have a separate wick—the rush itself served as the wick.
Yes, rushlights were often used as a nightlight because, unlike candles, they were safe to use.
No, rushlights were cheaper than candles. They cost almost nothing to produce and were exempt from the candle tax of 1709, making them a popular choice for household lighting.
