Did they have candles in the middle ages?

Answer 1

In the middle ages most western cultures relied on candles made from animal fat ( tallow). Tallow candles were the common household candle for Europeans and by the 13th century candle making had become a guild craft in England and France. The candle makers went from house to house making candles from the kitchen fats saved for that purpose, or made and sold their own candles from small candle shops. A major improvements in candles came when beeswax candles were introduced to Europe, but the sweet smelling candles were expensive compared to the foul bitter odor of tallow. These candles were used in church ceremonies and few people other than the wealthy could afford them.

Answer 2

In ancient Europe, lighting was done by burning oil, mostly olive oil, in lamps. Candles were an Asian invention, in which animal fat or bees' wax was burned instead of vegetable oil. The invention probably spread to Europe, though it could have been invented separately there. It caught on in northern Europe, where olive oil was not readily available, most likely during the 4th century AD.

The fall of the West Roman Empire and the Age of Migrations produced a great decline in trade, and olive oil became less widely available and costlier. The spread of the use of candles was a result of this.

Ancient soaps were liquid, but solid soaps, also based on animal fat, were introduced during the time by Muslims who conquered northern Africa, Spain, and other parts of Europe. The new soap caught on throughout much of Europe during the Early Middle Ages. Since the manufacture of soap was similar to that of tallow candles, the same people often did both.

Since soap makers had guilds from the Early Middle Ages, candle makers were likely to be members of the same guilds. Separate chandlers guilds came into existence in the 13th century.

Candles were often made in shops in the towns, but were also made on many manors, though this was usually done by itinerant chandlers, rather than local people.

Answer 3

The common man used tallow candles with a linen wick. Wax candles were so expensive that only the rich or church could afford them. The tallow smelled, let off an oily smoke, and burned poorly.

Answer 4

There was not yet a Thomas Edison to invent the lightbulbs, therefore they had to use candles.