Rush lighting was widely used as lighting and was relatively cheap and easy to produce. Fires accidentally started from them were common. From the medieval period dipped tallow candles became popular and the Tallow Chandlers Company was formed in London at the beginning of the 1300's.

Tallow candles were smelly to make and smelly to burn and their manufacture was banned in some towns, while in others tallow chandlers were located with the skinners or tanners.

The Wax Chandlers Company dates from about 1330 and these candles, predominantly beeswax, were favoured by the richer members of society. They were used for royal events and by the church as they burn brighter and smell more pleasant than tallow.

The traditional dipping method is demonstrated by our chandler.