Statue of medieval Jewish businesswoman unveiled

A statue of Licoricia of Winchester and her son Asher was unveiled in Winchester earlier today.

Licoricia was a Jewish businesswoman who has been described as “the most important Jewish woman in medieval England” and a leader in her community. She lived in the 13th century and was murdered in 1277, just 13 years before King Edward 1 expelled the Jews from England. 

In a press release, the Licoricia of Winchester Appeal, the charity behind the creation of the statue, said that “The project to install a statue of Licoricia aims to inform people about England’s little-known but important medieval Jewish community,” and added that it hoped it would offer a “fresh gateway to the study of Winchester’s royal medieval past.”

HRH Prince Charles was due to unveil the statue but was unable to attend after testing positive for COVID-19.

Last month, Winchester city council’s planning report said: “It is hoped that the statue will provide an opportunity to educate Winchester’s population and visitors about its medieval past and Jewish community and that it will be a lasting enhancement to the city.”