Cressets

Cressets are open-topped, often metal, baskets or containers holding burning fuel, typically oil or coal, used to provide light, especially outdoors. They were common in the medieval and Renaissance periods, used to illuminate streets, fortifications, and public gatherings. cressets served as a readily available and relatively portable source of illumination before the advent of gas and electric lighting, casting a flickering, smoky glow that defined the ambiance of the era. They were also used in ceremonial events and processions.

Cressets meaning with examples

• As the royal procession made its way through the city, lines of men carried high above their heads, casting dancing shadows on the cobblestone streets and highlighting the king's arrival with fire. The city buzzed with the excited chatter of commoners eager to witness the spectacle.
• The castle ramparts, though bleak, were made dramatic by the eerie yellow glow of the , which were mounted at regular intervals. They repelled the cold nights and illuminated the paths for the guards patrolling their beats. The effect was both functional and visually imposing.
• The actors in the play performed on an open-air stage under the flickering light of several. The light danced across their faces and highlighted their movements, creating a magical and enchanting atmosphere for the audience.
• During the siege, the besieged soldiers used to signal each other, communicating messages through their patterns of flames, sometimes appearing for a moment from beyond the tall fortress walls, sometimes vanishing in the blink of an eye, giving rise to a glimmer of hope.