What materials did a chandler in medieval time need?

Answer 1

The materials used in making candles in the medieval period were wax, tallow and fibres to make a wick.

Wax was always beeswax, obtained as a by-product of honey production; it was only used for expensive candles.

Ordinary candles would be of tallow, which was generally rendered mutton fat from sheep. This made cheap candles, which smelled and were very messy to use; in hot weather they tend to melt and go rancid.

The wicks would be of linen (from flax plants), hemp or nettle fibres. These all take some time to prepare and they need to be dried and twisted into cord before being used.

Vats were needed to melt the wax or tallow over a low heat; the long wick was held in its centre and both ends were repeatedly dipped to create two candles at once.

A chandler might also deal in pottery lamps, which came in various shapes but were essentially candles in a container, being tallow with a wick; there were also rush-lights made of carefully dried rushes dipped in tallow and gathered and tied into a bunch. When lit they burned slowly and gave off some light (and a great deal of smoke and smell). It is these that you often see in Holywood films on castle walls.