( ? – 1277)
The Arc, Jewry Street, Winchester
Staying in Winchester, on Jewry street stands the wonderful statue of Licoricia and her youngest son Asher at 5 years old. I start taking the obligatory photos to record my visit and overhear an enthusiastic volunteer taking new students on a tour of the city, glancing at the statue before steering them elsewhere.
I flinch at the vagueness of it as they walk away, but in all honesty I too know nothing about her. I’ve fitted the visit in on my travels and have done no research. I figured when time is tight I can just find the position, take a few selfies and study later. This has its advantages when you have constraints but I’m missing important snippets of information, and wonder if I would appreciate the statue and the journey more.
Fortunately, The Arc (formerly the Winchester Discovery Centre) has a leaflet. A highly successful and intelligent Jewish businesswoman, she was tragically murdered in 1277, the details of which are unknown. The leaflet goes on to give details of the Jewish community in 13th century Winchester and about the sculpture itself – the artist also created the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II on coins since 1998.
The tragic end of her life gives real poignancy to her being depicted with her young child, who presumably was forced out of England with the rest of the Jewish community in 1290. It feels like there is much more to learn and to understand.
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