Licoricia of Winchester

Licoricia of Winchester:
The Jewish businesswoman who funded the rebuilding of Westminster Abbey

Licoricia has been described by Robert Stacey as ‘the most important Jewish woman in medieval England’. The sculpture will be a beautiful addition to Winchester in its own right, acting as a gateway to medieval Winchester, its Jewish community, and its royal connections.  Depicting a successful businesswoman of the time, it will act as an inspiration to women of today and also promote tolerance and understanding in our society.

The project has important educational objectives, which will use the statue as their focal point. Both are described below.

What’s the purpose of the Project?

Licoricia was a prominent member of Winchester’s medieval Jewish community. Her statue will:

  • Promote tolerance and the value of diversity in the community.
  • Educate people about England’s and Winchester’s important but little-known medieval Jewish Community.
  • Inform them about Winchester’s significant Royal medieval past.
  • Inspire young people and women, illustrating the role of education in providing opportunities.
  • Be of national interest and a lasting enhancement to the city of Winchester

What are its messages?

Messages from history

  • Jews were part of the English community from 1067 until 1290, having arrived after the Norman Conquest in 1066 nearly a thousand years ago. They contributed to the building of iconic places of worship such as Westminster Abbey and Lincoln Cathedral, and also other institutions, as well as to trade and culture.
  • Licoricia (who died in 1277) was a leader in her community and one of a handful of Jews, including women, prominently involved in finance. The Jews were restricted in the jobs they could do.  Other occupations included doctors, teachers, scribes, poets, vintners, metalworkers and tradesmen.
  • Licoricia was highly educated, like many Jewish women of her time, enabling them to be successful in their own right.
  • Jews were the property of the King, frequently persecuted by the Church, and taxed at will until they were too poor to be of any utility. As a result, those who would not convert to Christianity were forced out of the country by the Edict of Expulsion issued by King Edward I in 1290.

Lessons for today

  • Jews of the Middle Ages are an early example of a religious minority in the UK, and their story highlights the danger of the majority limiting the freedom of the minority (“the tyranny of the majority”).
  • As a minority, the Jews made an outsized contribution to England’s society and economy. Diversity of community creates cultural and commercial benefits.
  • Many prejudices against the Jews originated in the Middle Ages, and shaped anti-semitism, which still exists today. Education is the key to the elimination of prejudice.
  • Progress on religious and racial tolerance has been made in society – today the UK is a vibrant multi-faith, multi-ethnic and multi-racial society – but there is further work to be done.
  • The education of women has provided them with opportunity. As a result, progress has been made by women in business and other areas of public life, but 800 years after Licoricia lived, women are still striving for equality.