Chloe Adams
Candles have been used as a source of light for thousands of years, with the earliest use attributed to the Ancient Egyptians. Medieval candles were made from a variety of materials, including animal fat, tallow, and beeswax. Tallow, made from rendered animal fat, was the most common material for candles in the Middle Ages due to its low cost and widespread availability. However, tallow candles produced an unpleasant smell, leading to their manufacture being banned in several European cities. Beeswax candles, which burned cleaner and emitted a pleasant fragrance, were introduced in Europe during the Middle Ages. They were more expensive and therefore used primarily by the wealthy and the Church. Medieval candlemakers also used cotton for wicks, which was imported from the Levant, and some candles were made in the form of coil candles, which could be used as timers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Materials | Fat, tallow, beeswax |
| Wick materials | Cotton, oakum, plant fibre, papyrus, rice paper |
| Production methods | Dipping, drawing, hand-rolling, pouring |
| Use | Lighting, timers, religious ceremonies |
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What You'll Learn
Medieval candles were made from beeswax
Beeswax candles were introduced in Europe during the Middle Ages, providing a cleaner and less foul-smelling burn compared to animal-based tallow candles. They also burned brighter and emitted a pleasant fragrance. However, beeswax candles were more challenging to obtain, making them more expensive and limiting their use primarily to religious ceremonies and the wealthy.
Medieval candlemakers used various methods to produce beeswax candles. One technique involved dipping a wick into molten beeswax, but this resulted in smaller candles as the wick could only be dipped once or twice before becoming too stiff. Another method was the rolled candle-making technique, where softened beeswax was shaped by hand around a wick and gradually built up to the desired size. Medieval coil candles, a type of beeswax candle, were also used as timers due to their consistent burn time.
The use of beeswax for candles in Europe dates back to Roman times, and they continued to be used alongside tallow candles, which were more commonly used in households due to their lower cost. The introduction of moulds in the 14th century and the development of the whaling industry in the 18th century brought changes to candle-making, with the availability of spermaceti, a wax derived from sperm whales, offering an alternative to beeswax and tallow.
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Medieval candles were made from tallow
In the Middle Ages, candles were made from beeswax or tallow. Tallow is a rendered form of fat from cows or sheep. It was the common household candle for Europeans and was widely used because it was cheap and easy to source. Medieval candlemakers, or chandlers, would travel from house to house, making candles from kitchen fats saved for that purpose.
Beeswax candles, on the other hand, were expensive and so their use was largely limited to the wealthy and religious ceremonies. They burned cleanly and emitted a pleasant, sweet smell, unlike tallow candles which produced a smoky flame and an acrid odour.
The earliest candles were created by repeatedly dipping rolled papyrus in tallow or beeswax. Medieval coil candles were made using the rolled candle-making technique, where wax is first softened and worked by hand in warm water, then gradually built around a wick. Medieval coil candles could also be used as a timer, as they always took the same amount of time to burn through a winding.
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Medieval coil candles
The process of making a medieval coil candle started with grating or chopping beeswax into small pieces. These pieces were then melted in a water bath. A long piece of cotton string was then dipped into the melted beeswax to create the wick.
The rolled candle-making technique was then employed, where the softened wax was worked by hand and gradually built around the wick, moving from the bottom to the upper part. Once the candles reached the desired size, they were rolled on a hardwood table to achieve a perfect round and smooth shape.
The use of beeswax for candles dates back to ancient times, with textual evidence suggesting that the Chinese may have used whale fat or beeswax during the Qin dynasty (221–206 BCE). In Europe, beeswax candles became common during the Middle Ages, primarily used by the wealthy and the Church due to their high cost.
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Spermaceti candles
Spermaceti has been used by whalers since the 17th century for various purposes, including cosmetics, textiles, ointments, and candles. The whaling industry in the 17th and 18th centuries was largely driven by the demand for spermaceti, with whalers embarking on lengthy voyages to hunt sperm whales.
However, the growing demand for spermaceti candles led to increased whaling and a significant decline in sperm whale populations. As a result, ethical concerns arose, leading to a decrease in demand for these candles. By the 19th century, alternative materials such as paraffin and stearin candles gained popularity, causing the decline of the spermaceti candle market.
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Stearin candles
Stearin is a wax additive derived from vegetable oil, usually palm or sunflower oil. It is a white, creamy emulsifying agent used in cosmetics and food products. It has been used in candle-making since the Middle Ages, when it was derived from animal fat.
Stearin can be used to make moulded candles, scented candles, and coloured candles. It can also be used to make the wax more opaque.
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Frequently asked questions
Medieval candles were made of beeswax, tallow, and fats.
Tallow is a rendered form of beef or mutton fat.
Yes, beeswax candles were expensive and were therefore used by the wealthy and the Church.
Medieval candles were made by dipping a wick in molten fat or wax repeatedly until it reached the desired size, or by pouring fat or wax onto a wick to build up the candle.
