Were candles in medieval Europe very expensive? Is not only the aristocrats can use it?

Speaking of candles in fact, we all know, this thing now who use ah, even if the occasional blackout, but also engage in what the emergency lighting, will not use what the candles, but in the past the candle this thing is really quite practical, is a good thing for lighting, I feel that everyone has to use ah, but recently someone found out, that is, that is to say, this is the medieval Europe ah, the candles seem very Expensive, the general public can not afford to use, in addition to the aristocracy, so this is not true? Why in the end? Here we come to analyze the mystery to see it!

Although it depends on the specific material of the candle, but the average person can afford it.

After the collapse of the Roman Empire, disruptions in trade made olive oil the most suitable fuel for oil lamps, but it was hard to come by in most parts of Europe.

As a result, relatively cheap candles became popular.

During the Middle Ages, candles spread throughout almost all of Europe.

Famous candle makers (known as chandlers) would often make candles from fat stored in kitchens and sell them in stores. These companies were very profitable at the time due to the low cost of candles and the high demand for them.

Later, as people grew to love candles, historians recorded the candle trade under the more beautiful name of smeremongere. These manufacturers also branched out into the production of sauces, vinegars, soaps and cheeses.

In addition, the widespread use of candles for Candlemas and the celebration of St. Lucy is a testament to the love of candles.

"The Feast of the Dedication of the Lord, also known as Candlemas, known in Protestantism as the Day of the Dedication of the Holy Child or the Dedication of Christ to the Temple, and in Orthodox Christianity as the Feast of the Entrance of the Lord, is a Christian feast day, celebrated on February 2 of each year."

"St. Lucy, also known as St. Luzia, was a wealthy young Christian martyr, venerated as a saint by the Catholic Church and by the Anglican, Lutheran and Orthodox Churches, which advocate their own succession to Catholicism. In the West, the words "lux" and "lucis" mean "light", and she is the patron saint of the blind, whose memorial day is December 13th. The anniversary is celebrated on December 13th.

Although tallow became the standard material used in candles in Europe during the Middle Ages, the unpleasant odor of tallow candles during manufacture and combustion was so unacceptable that their production was explicitly banned by ordinance in some European cities.

Later, some innovators discovered that beeswax was an excellent substance for the production of candles because it burned longer and did not have an unpleasant odor. However, the cost of producing beeswax candles was extremely high, and it sold for dozens of times more than ordinary candles, so they could only be seen in the homes of the rich, in royalty, or in churches for major events.

In England and France in the 13th and 14th centuries, candle making became a standard craft of the guilds, and many companies specializing in candle making were created.

For example, the famous candle maker mentioned earlier, the chandler company, was founded in London in 1300 and was granted a coat of arms in 1456.

The first candle molds came from Paris at the beginning of the 15th century, and then candles were officially put into the street lighting system in 1415.

As you can see, the cost of using candles in the Middle Ages was not high, but those made of fine materials and without unpleasant odors were not affordable for ordinary people.