Obs. exc. Hist.
1. A beam between the chancel and the nave of a church, on which the rood stood, with candles placed on each side of it; a rood-beam.
1463. Bury Wills (1850), 15. And my body to be beryed by the awter of Seynt Martyn … under the percloos of the retourne of the candilbeem.
1499. in T. Gardner, Hist. Dunwich (1754), 156. Paid Tho. Cuttyng for makyng of the Vyse unto the Candelbem.
1849. Rock, Ch. of Fathers, III. x. 471, note.
2. ? A suspended beam of wood to support a number of candles; cf. quot. 1552.
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 60. Candelbem [1499 candell beme], lucernarium.
1492. in Bury Wills (1850), 238. My candylbeme that hangyth in my hall wt vj bellys of laton standyng thereon.
1552. Huloet, Candle beame, suche as hangeth in gentlemens halles, with sockettes to set candels vpon.
