Station: [24] Candlesticks and light

“When day turns to evening, it naturally also grows dark in the 16th century. Very dark. There is no light switch – just as there is no electrical light. Only candles or oil lamps shine in the dark. Some work was well suited to darkness however, not requiring much light – such as spinning wool (a great opportunity to “gather wool” which means to daydream). Flammable oil and good beeswax was only affordable for rich people. Poor people would have to make do with tallow candles made of animal fats. They burn in candlesticks made of wood, metal or clay. You can see the plinth of one such candlestick here.”