A statue of a Jewish woman whose success in business and connections with powerful people made her a renowned figure in 13th-century England will be unveiled by the Prince of Wales on Thursday.
The story of Licoricia, who was murdered in her home 13 years before all Jews in England were expelled on the orders of Edward I, “shines a light on the nature of the medieval Jewish community”, said Ephraim Mirvis, the chief rabbi.
The lifesize bronze of Licoricia with her son Asher is being installed on Jewry Street in Winchester, the ancient city where she spent much of her life. After being unveiled by Prince Charles, Mirvis will bless the statue.
The ceremony is the culmination of a five-year campaign to raise funds for a monument intended “to act as an inspiration to women of today and also promote tolerance and understanding in our society”.
It has been created by the sculptor Ian Rank-Broadley, who told the Hampshire Chronicle it was an honour to recognise “a woman who made a significant contribution to this country in terms of financial expertise and one who is probably forgotten by many people today”.
On the plinth of the statue are words from Leviticus: “Love thy neighbour as thyself” – in English and Hebrew.
Rabbi Jonathan Romain, who has researched the life of Licoricia, said: “The fact that the heir to the throne is unveiling the statue is a very strong signal that Britain is a home to all minorities.”
A widow with four children, Licoricia had accumulated sufficient money and acumen to start a moneylending operation in Winchester in 1234. She was one of a number of Jewish businesswomen in the city and spoke several languages.
At the time, there were restrictions on how Jews could make a living. Moneylending was one of the few occupations open to them as church law at the time forbade Christians to make loans.
“On the one hand, it was a livelihood. On the other hand, it earned them an enormous unpopularity because everybody likes a moneylender when they need a loan but not when it comes to paying back. So it was a very toxic profession to go into, but unfortunately one of the only avenues open at that time,” said Romain.
In 1242, Licoricia married David of Oxford, one of the richest Jews in England, after Henry III blocked efforts by David’s first wife, Muriel, to persuade a rabbinical court to nullify the couple’s divorce.
Two years later, David died, leaving Licoricia with a fifth child and his successful moneylending business to add to her own. First she had to pay a huge windfall tax, much of which went towards building Westminster Abbey.
In 1277 Licoricia and her Christian maid were found murdered in the home in Oxford she had shared with David, probably killed by a burglar. By then, Jews in England were subjected to violent discrimination and persecution, and in 1290 Edward I ordered they all be expelled. Jews did not return to England until the middle of the 17th century.
Mirvis said: “In many ways, the story of Licoricia shines a light on the nature of the medieval Jewish community. Despite living in a society which was frequently hostile to Jews, Licoricia was totally committed to raising her family, building a successful enterprise and contributing to the prosperity of the country.
“As such, the unveiling of this significant statue sends a powerful message to contemporary British society of the importance of industriousness, generosity and respect for all people.”
