Licoricia and her son Asher
Licoricia of Winchester was an active businesswoman in thirteenth-century England. Her second husband was one of the richest Jews in England at that time. After his death in 1244 and the payment of the death duties (a part of which was used for the building of a chapel in Westminster Abbey), Licoricia controlled substantial wealth. She carried on David's business dealings and started new ones of her own. Her clients included King Henry III and some of his entourage as well as other members of the nobility in southern England. In 1277, Licoricia was found stabbed to death, possibly during a robbery, with her maid. There is no record of anyone being charged or found guilty of the murders.
In early 2021, the Jewish community of England raised money to erect a life-size statue of Licoricia and her son, Asher, by Ian Rank-Broadly. The statue was placed outside of the Discovery Centre (library) on Jewry Street in Winchester, close to the medieval Jewish quarter.
Licoricia and her son Asher
Licoricia of Winchester was an active businesswoman in thirteenth-century England. Her second husband was one of the richest Jews in England at that time. After his death in 1244 and the payment of the death duties (a part of which was used for the building of a chapel in Westminster Abbey), Licoricia controlled substantial wealth. She carried on David's business dealings and started new ones of her own. Her clients included King Henry III and some of his entourage as well as other members of the nobility in southern England. In 1277, Licoricia was found stabbed to death, possibly during a robbery, with her maid. There is no record of anyone being charged or found guilty of the murders.
In early 2021, the Jewish community of England raised money to erect a life-size statue of Licoricia and her son, Asher, by Ian Rank-Broadly. The statue was placed outside of the Discovery Centre (library) on Jewry Street in Winchester, close to the medieval Jewish quarter.