This item is on display at Ightam Mote and is a courting candle and has the following description:
|”Courting candles were an important and popular part of most households from the 17th to 19th century.. There were used by the man of the house to set boundaries for his daughters. When a suitor called, the candle would be lit. When the candle had burnt down it was time for the suitor to leave. Depending on if he liked the suitor or not, the father could change the height of the candle by winding the base up or down the spring to give him as much or as little time with his daughter as he deemed fit.”
I wonder if there is any connection between this and “getting on someone’s wick” ?
Watch out for further info on our Christmas do.
Chairman Joe.
