Outsiders to control Earl, wicked thing! (6)
I believe the answer is:
candle
'wicked thing' is the definition.
(something with a wick)
I don't understand the rest of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for candle that I've seen before include "something wicked" , "A taper" , "Maeve Binchy novel 'Light a Penny ......'" , "Wax or tallow light" , "that's wicked!" .)