Ben Carter
Candles were a significant source of light in medieval times, with lighting techniques bearing witness to the creativity and adaptability of our ancestors. But how did people light candles in the first place? Before the invention of self-igniting matches in the 1800s, medieval people used various methods, including flint and steel, rubbing sticks together, or using a taper lit from a cooking fire or bed of coals. Some sources suggest that slow-burning fuses, like hemp ropes treated with potassium nitrate, could be used to keep fires and candles alight. In addition to candles, medieval people also relied on oil lamps, torches, and pine shavings for light, depending on availability and purpose.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Materials used to light candles | Flint, rubbing sticks, hemp rope treated with potassium nitrate, slow-burning fuses, tinderboxes, fire |
| Types of candles | Beeswax, tallow |
| Candle use | Lighting, timekeeping, decorative, symbolic, spiritual, protective |
| Candle usage by socioeconomic class | Beeswax candles were more expensive and often used by the wealthy and in churches |
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What You'll Learn
- Candles were often lit with a taper, using a cooking fire or bed of coals
- Torches were also used, made from wooden sticks wrapped in cloth soaked in pitch or resin
- Pine shavings, thin pieces of resin-rich pine wood, were a common light source
- Slow-burning fuses, like hemp rope treated with potassium nitrate, were used to keep fires alight
- Flint and steel were used to create sparks to light candles
Candles were often lit with a taper, using a cooking fire or bed of coals
In medieval times, candles were a constant presence in churches and chapels, where they symbolised the divine. They were also used in homes, though their high cost made them a luxury item.
Before the invention of self-igniting matches in the 1800s, people would have to light a scrap of something else and use that to light a candle. This could be a torch, or a tinder box with flint and steel and some flammable material. Another option was to use a slow-burning fuse, like a length of hemp or twine dipped in chemicals to make it burn slowly.
In addition to candles, the Middle Ages knew several other lighting methods, including pine shavings, torches, and oil lamps. Pine shavings were a simple and widespread source of light, mainly used in rural areas and poorer households. Torches were important for lighting larger rooms and outdoor areas, and their manufacture varied depending on the region and materials available. Oil lamps, which had been used since the Paleolithic period, were another option.
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Torches were also used, made from wooden sticks wrapped in cloth soaked in pitch or resin
In the Middle Ages, torches were a common source of light, particularly for lighting larger spaces and outdoors. One popular method of making torches was to wrap a wooden stick with strips of cloth soaked in pitch or resin. The cloth would be lit, providing a portable light source. Torches were especially important for soldiers and travellers, who needed durable and long-lasting sources of light.
Torches were also used in ancient times, before candles were invented. Open fires, splinters of resinous wood, and oil lamps were also used for light at night. The oil lamps, which originated in the Paleolithic period, featured a lit wick resting in a pool of oil or fat.
In the Middle Ages, candles were also an important source of light. They were made from tallow and beeswax, with beeswax being the more expensive option due to its bright and steady light. Beeswax candles were often used in churches and by the wealthy. To light candles, a taper was typically used, lit from a cooking fire or bed of coals.
Before the invention of self-igniting matches in the 1800s, other methods were used to light candles and torches. These included flint and steel, rubbing sticks together, and using a tinder box with flammable material. Keeping a constant source of fire, even a small ember, was important for lighting candles when needed.
The light sources in the Middle Ages served both practical and spiritual purposes. Candles were constantly lit in churches as a symbol of the divine presence and protection against evil forces. The arrangement of light sources was also important, influencing people's daily lives and providing protection and entertainment.
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Pine shavings, thin pieces of resin-rich pine wood, were a common light source
Pine shavings were created by splitting suitable wood into thin chips and allowing them to dry. To use them as a light source, the shavings were clamped into special holders and lit. The resin in the wood allowed the shavings to burn for a more extended period, making them a practical and economical choice for those who could not afford other lighting options.
The use of pine shavings as a light source was not limited to the Middle Ages. Even before candles were widely available, ancient civilizations used open fires, torches, and splinters of resinous wood to illuminate the darkness. Oil lamps, which consisted of a lit wick resting in a pool of oil or fat, were also used as early as the Paleolithic period.
During the Middle Ages, candles were a valuable commodity, often associated with light, enlightenment, and goodness. They were constantly lit in churches and chapels, symbolizing the divine presence. Beeswax candles, known for their bright and steady light, were preferred by the wealthy and for religious purposes. However, due to their expense, most people relied on other light sources, such as pine shavings, torches, or oil lamps.
Lighting a candle typically required a taper or a small flame. Most households maintained a constant cooking fire or a bed of coals to light the taper. Torches were also commonly used, especially for lighting larger spaces or outdoor areas. They were made by wrapping wooden sticks with cloth strips soaked in pitch or resin.
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Slow-burning fuses, like hemp rope treated with potassium nitrate, were used to keep fires alight
In medieval times, candles were often lit using a taper, a small piece of burning wood or coal, or a torch. Most households kept a cooking fire going at all times, or at least a good bed of coals, which could be used to light the taper. Tapers were also lit using a small flame from a burning candle, or from an ember in a fireplace or special container.
Before the invention of self-igniting matches in the 1800s, people used a tinder box with flint and steel to create a spark, or they would rub sticks together to create a flame.
Slow-burning fuses, like hemp rope treated with potassium nitrate, were also used to keep fires alight. This method was likely used in medieval times, as the matchlock, which uses a similar slow-burning fuse, has been around since the early 1400s. Hemp rope treated with potassium nitrate burns at about a foot per hour, making it economical to keep a slow-burning fuse lit overnight for quick access to fire.
Potassium nitrate, or saltpetre, has been known since ancient times and was used by the Greeks, Romans, Indians, and Chinese. The use of slow-burning fuses may have originated from dipping hemp or twine in chemicals to create a slow-burning length of rope that could be used to light candles or other fires.
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Flint and steel were used to create sparks to light candles
In medieval times, candles were lit using a variety of methods, including tapers, torches, and flint and steel. Flint and steel were used to create sparks, which could then be used to light candles. This method, known as fire striking, was a common way to start fires and light candles before the invention of matches in the 19th century.
To use flint and steel to light a candle, one would need a piece of flint, a piece of steel, and a piece of tinder or charcloth. The steel would be struck against the flint, creating sparks. These sparks would then be directed onto the tinder or charcloth, igniting it. The tinder or charcloth would then be used to light the candle.
Flint and steel were commonly used for fire starting and candle lighting due to their durability and reliability. Flint is a type of stone that is known for its hardness and ability to create sparks when struck by steel. Steel, on the other hand, is a strong and durable metal that can be sharpened to a fine edge, making it ideal for striking the flint and creating sparks.
Charcloth, a type of cloth that has been treated with charcoal, was often used in conjunction with flint and steel. The sparks created by striking the flint with steel would ignite the charcloth, which could then be used to transfer the flame to the candle. Tinder, a small piece of flammable material such as wood or cloth, could also be used instead of charcloth.
While flint and steel were commonly used to light candles in medieval times, they were not the only method. Tapers, which are thin pieces of wax-coated string or wood, were also commonly used. These tapers could be lit from a fire or other flame source and then used to light candles. Torches, oil lamps, and pine shavings were also used as light sources in addition to candles.
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Frequently asked questions
Candles were often lit using a taper, a small piece of burning wood or coal. Most houses kept a cooking fire going at all times, which could be used to light the taper.
Before the invention of self-igniting matches in the 1800s, people used a tinder box with flint and steel, or rubbed sticks together to create a spark.
In Europe, candles were primarily made from tallow and beeswax. Beeswax was more expensive and often used by the wealthy and in churches.
Candles were expensive and considered a luxury item. They were often used in churches for decorative, symbolic, and ceremonial purposes.
Yes, people used torches, oil lamps, and pine shavings as alternative sources of light. Torches were especially useful for lighting larger rooms and outdoor areas.
