Medieval lamps, lanterns and more
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Delivery time: 7 - 9 working days* (GB - int. shipments may differ)
- Available
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Delivery time: 3 - 5 working days* (GB - int. shipments may differ)
Light was not a given in the Middle Ages. Anyone wishing to work, read or travel after dark needed a reliable source of light – and such sources were expensive, complex or, at the very least, cumbersome to use. Whether hand-forged candlesticks, rawhide lanterns, pine-wick holders or ceramic oil lamps: here you’ll find medieval lighting for re-enactments, military camps, medieval markets and home decoration – from simple everyday replicas to intricately crafted brass lanterns.
How was lighting used in the Middle Ages? An overview of historical light sources
Medieval lighting was closely linked to social class and the availability of raw materials. The simplest and oldest method was the pinewood torch – a piece of resin-rich wood that burns like a simple torch. It was cheap and widely available, but had a short burning time and was difficult to control. The oil lamp made of clay or ceramic dates back to antiquity and was widespread in the early Middle Ages: a wick was dipped in vegetable oil or animal fat, producing a steadier and longer-lasting light. Candles made of tallow (beef or sheep fat) were cheaper than beeswax candles, but smoked more and smelled less pleasant – beeswax was reserved for the wealthy and the Church.
The lantern solved a practical problem: it protected the flame from the wind and prevented open fire from igniting straw or wood. Simple lanterns were made of iron with windows of rubbed animal horn plates (horn is translucent), later of parchment or raw hide. Torches were used primarily outdoors – for processions, in castle courtyards or when travelling. Light had a threefold function in everyday medieval life: it enabled work after sunset, increased safety on paths and in campsites, and played a central symbolic role in religious practice.
From the Early Middle Ages to the Late Middle Ages: How lighting developed
Early Middle Ages: clay lamps and pinewood torches
The oldest widespread light sources following the fall of Rome were iron pine-wood torch holders and simple clay lamps modelled on Roman designs – often featuring one or more spouts for wicks. Stronger than glass, cheaper than brass: ceramic lamps were equally suited to everyday rural life and early monasteries. The Oseberg lamp, known from a Viking-era ship burial (early 9th century), is an early iron lamp that serves as a model for modern replicas.
High Middle Ages: iron candlesticks and the first lanterns
As towns and crafts flourished, so too did the variety of lighting objects. Hand-forged iron candlesticks with tripods or carrying handles found their way into town houses and monasteries. The first enclosed lanterns protected the flame from the wind – a clear functional advantage for travellers and night watchmen.
Late Middle Ages: Horn lanterns, sheet metal and brass
The Late Middle Ages brought a clear differentiation: horn lanterns with polished horn panels provided wind-resistant, soft light and were popular with travellers and craftsmen. Sheet metal lanterns with perforated or cross-pattern designs were inexpensive to produce. Brass lanterns, on the other hand, were regarded as status symbols: elaborately crafted, durable, a sign of bourgeois or aristocratic prosperity. Replicas of these types can be found today in the range for re-enactment and market displays.
The main types: a comparison of lanterns, lamps, candlesticks and pine-wood candle holders
| Type | Material | Period / Suitability | Practical note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pine torch holders | Wrought iron | Early Middle Ages | Oldest form of everyday lighting; open, no wind protection |
| Oil lamp (ceramic) | Ceramic / clay | Early Middle Ages, Antiquity | Up to 3 wicks; for hanging or standing |
| Tallow lamp | Ceramic | 13th–15th century | Late Middle Ages; hand-made on the potter’s wheel |
| Rawhide lantern | Wood + raw hide | Market / LARP | Soft, diffused light; ideal for camps and decoration |
| Sheet metal lantern | Sheet metal (iron) | Late Middle Ages / LARP | Sturdy, affordable, practical for use at camps |
| Horn lantern | Steel + horn | High/Late Middle Ages | Wind-resistant, translucent, historically documented |
| Brass lantern | Brass (+ horn) | Late Middle Ages | Status symbol, elaborate craftsmanship, higher price |
| Candlestick | Wrought iron | High/Late Middle Ages | Many variations: carrying handle, tripod, twisted stem |
| Tripod (lamp holder) | Carbon steel | Early to Late Middle Ages | Sturdy mount for lamps above the campfire |
Lanterns by material: wood, horn, brass and sheet metal
Wood & raw hide
Wooden lanterns with rawhide or parchment windows cast a soft, warm glow. They are ideal for creating a camp atmosphere and for market displays, but are less durable for long-term outdoor use in the rain. Available from approx. €33–50.
Horn & steel
Horn-plate lanterns offer genuine wind protection whilst still allowing light to pass through – just like historical originals. Available in round and square designs. Hornware was widespread in the Middle Ages; these lanterns authentically recreate that. Price approx. €50.
Brass
Brass lanterns with horn doors and leather flap doors are the highest-quality variants in the range – replicas from the 14th–16th centuries, decorative and functional. Price approx. €58–67. If you value historical accuracy and wish to display a visible sign of prosperity in your camp, this is the right choice.
Tin lanterns with a perforated or cross-pattern are the practical choice for robust use in the camp – handmade, modelled on a museum piece, and affordable at around €33. Buying tip: Choose the material according to the era you are portraying and your context of use. For an early Viking camp, a simple iron lamp or a pine torch holder is more suitable than a 15th-century brass lantern.
Oil lamps and candlesticks: lighting for indoors and outdoors
Ceramic oil lamps based on Roman designs are among the oldest continuously used lighting objects in existence. The three-wick versions in the range – for hanging with a chain or for standing – are handcrafted from slipware and their shape is directly inspired by ancient and early medieval finds. They work with standard lamp oil and a cotton wick. As a late medieval variant, the tallow lamp from the 13th–15th centuries completes the range – hand-thrown on the potter’s wheel, with a handle, in the typical ceramic style of the High Middle Ages.
There are clear differences among the forged candlesticks: simple table candlesticks with twisted stems and rolled feet start at under €15, whilst versions with a carrying handle – practical for transport in storage – are around €20. Anyone wishing to hold a lamp over the fire will find the perfect holder in the hand-forged carbon steel tripod (approx. 115 cm leg length) – sturdy, authentic, and also suitable for cooking. The tripod combines well with the forged accessories for cooking stations.
For re-enactment, camps or decoration: which lighting suits which purpose?
Hand-forged candlesticks from approx. €11 are the most affordable entry-level option – authentically crafted and ready to use straight away. Simple ceramic oil lamps with wicks start from approx. €17. Ideal for first visits to markets, costume parties or as an addition to an existing camp on a tight budget. The medieval pine-wood candle holder from the 12th century costs around €16 and is one of the oldest forms of lighting that can be recreated.
Rawhide lanterns, tin lanterns and ceramic oil lamps (three-wick, for hanging) offer significantly greater authenticity and light output. The Oseberg lamp, a detailed iron replica (approx. €30), is particularly suitable for Viking and early medieval re-enactments. Tallow lamps and wooden lanterns with rawhide windows are in the same price range and create atmospheric lighting at market stalls and in military camps.
Horn lanterns (round or square, approx. €50), late medieval brass lanterns (approx. €58–67) and the hand-forged tripod (approx. €50) are aimed at re-enactors who demand attention to detail. At the top end of the range, you’ll find elaborate replicas costing up to around €160, which are also suitable for theatre and film productions. Practical tip: For events with fire safety regulations, enclosed lanterns (horn, rawhide) offer clear advantages over open candlesticks. Your choice should be portable and windproof if the camp is being set up and taken down multiple times.
Almost all types are suitable for home decoration – wooden lanterns with rawhide and brass lanterns in particular add historically inspired touches. At a medieval market or on stage, wind resistance and visual impact from a distance are paramount: horn lanterns and rawhide lanterns deliver both. In our medieval camp supplies range, you’ll find further accessories that complement the lighting perfectly – from cauldrons over the fire pit to medieval furnishings.
Whether you want to authentically light up your army camp, create an atmospheric setting for your market stall, or simply find a historically inspired decoration for your home – you’ll find the right lighting for every budget and every era in our range. Browse the category or give us a call if you’re unsure which lantern or lamp best suits your needs.
Frequently asked questions
In the Middle Ages, oil lamps made of clay or ceramic, pine-wick holders, candles made of tallow or beeswax, and various lanterns made of iron, horn or wood were common. Simple clay lamps with wicks date back to antiquity and were used right up to the late Middle Ages. For the wealthy, there were more elaborate versions made of brass with horn windows.
Lighting in the Middle Ages depended heavily on social class and region. The lower classes used pinewood shavings (resin-rich wood), tallow lamps and simple iron candlesticks. Monasteries and the wealthy could afford beeswax candles, which burned more cleanly. Lanterns with horn windows or rawhide covers protected the flame from the wind and offered greater safety during transport.
A pine-wood chip holder is a simple iron device that holds a resin-rich wood chip (pine-wood chip) whilst it burns. This form of lighting is one of the oldest and cheapest of all – no oil, no wick, just the naturally resinous wood. Pine-wood chip holders are particularly suitable for early medieval and Viking-era re-enactments and are available in our range from around €16.
This depends primarily on the period being portrayed: for the Early Middle Ages and the Viking Age, iron lamps (e.g. Oseberg replica), pine-chip holders and simple ceramic oil lamps are suitable. The High and Late Middle Ages are represented by horn lanterns, tin lanterns or brass lanterns. For markets and LARP events without strict period requirements, rawhide lanterns and wooden lanterns are a versatile and atmospheric choice.
Yes, most of the lanterns and candlesticks in our range are also ideal for home decoration. Wooden lanterns with rawhide windows, which cast a warm, diffused light, and brass lanterns as decorative statement pieces are particularly popular. Important: When using real candles, always ensure there is sufficient distance from flammable materials and never leave the flame unattended.