Chandlery

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A chandlery was the office in a medieval household responsible for wax and candles, as well as the room in which the candles were kept. It was headed by a chandler. The office was subordinated to the kitchen, and only existed as a separate office in larger households. Whether a separate office or not, the function was naturally an important one, in a time before electric light, and when production of candles was often done privately. It was closely connected with other offices of the household, such as the ewery and the scullery.[1] The term is largely obsolete today, and if used at all, more often refers to a candle business. As such, a "chandler" is a person who sells candles.[2][3]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Woolgar, C. M. (1999). The Great Household in Late Medieval England. New Haven and London: Yale University Press, pp. 17, 33. ISBN 0-300-07687-8. 
  2. ^ chandlery. Merriam-Webster. Retrieved on 2008-01-19.
  3. ^ chandler. Merriam-Webster. Retrieved on 2008-01-19.
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