Rushlight holder

This was made of metal and was used by poor people. There were two parts - one for the tallow candle and one for the rushlight. They used to dip a rush (like a piece of straw) in tallow (animal fat), put it in the pinching end and light it. Sometimes they used to light both ends to give more light. If you were poor you would have a tallow candle. It was very smokey and smelly. Samantha and Charlotte

Did you know? The saying 'burning the candle at both ends' comes from the rushlight. This saying means wearing yourself out quickly.