Licoricia of Winchester

Fundraising for a statue of Licoricia of Winchester in Jewry Street, Winchester

The Licoricia of Winchester Appeal

Welcome

Our aims:

Tracy-Ann Oberman stars as Licoricia in this short video

To educate about our important but forgotten medieval Jewish Community.
Inform about Winchester's significant Royal medieval past.
Promote religious tolerance and the value of diversity in the community, and challenge prejudice.
Inspire women and young people, and promote education in providing opportunity.

Licoricia was a medieval businesswoman, working mother, and leader in her community. Like many Jewish women of her time, she was highly educated. This enabled her to succeed in a man’s world despite prejudice. She made a major forced contribution to the building of Westminster Abbey and financed many other projects. The Jewish community suffered severe religious persecution including having to wear badges for much of the thirteenth century after the Church Fourth Lateran Council of 1215, and the prejudices formed at that time still linger today. The message of “Love they Neighbour as Thyself” at the base of the statue, shared by Jews, Christians and Muslims, is as important to follow now as it was in her time. Her son Asher was probably forced out of England with the rest of the community in 1290.

The visit by HRH Prince Charles in 2022

The speech by our Chairman at the unveiling

The Chief Rabbi, Ephraim Mirvis' speech at our unveiling on 10 February 2022.

Latest News

Video of Licoricia June 30, 2026
Licoricia in London Exhibition at Barbican September 11, 2025
FUNDRAISING APPEAL – Podcasts to accompany our lessons for primary and secondary schools June 25, 2025