ABSTRACT
A LTHOUGH great use is made of candles in northern lands and large numbers of them are lit, chiefly at worship in churches, during pilgrimages to the saints, and at the taking of the sacraments, yet candles blessed by the hand and mouth of the bishop, whose particular emblem this is, are held in especially deep reverence among those peoples. For the strong virtue of his holy words uttered over them is believed to have the power to ward off thunderbolts and flashes of lightning if they are then lit with this end in view. Moreover, when folk perceive the air tainted, to prevent it causing havoc in time of plague or tempest, they bear these candles in their hands, with the addition of good prayers or in processions ordained by the Church, so that the elements may give way to the efficacy of the blessing shed upon them; otherwise they would do severe mischief.
