A tallow candle used by miners to light their work. Several were found in the mine workings at Coleorton, including one unused early 16th century example in perfect condition.
Tallow candles were made from the rendered fat of cattle or sheep.
Candles were usually safe to use in medieval mines because they were not deep enough to be badly affected by 'firedamp' or other explosive mine gases. However, explosions were not altogether unheard of in medieval mining.
