Early 1200s – 1277
Licoricia of Winchester (early 1200s–1277) was one of the most influential Jewish women of medieval England. A skilled businesswoman, she rose to prominence at a time when Jewish communities faced growing discrimination, violence, and heavy taxation.
Through her success in moneylending — one of the few professions allowed to Jews — Licoricia built considerable wealth and influence. After marrying David of Oxford, one of the richest Jewish men of the time, she managed a wide network of financial dealings that reached far beyond her home city of Winchester.
But Licoricia’s legacy is more than financial success. She used her position to support and defend Jewish communities during an era of increasing hostility, navigating difficult relationships with royal and local authorities. Even as restrictions tightened and threats of exile loomed, she remained a force for resilience and hope.
Centuries later, Licoricia is remembered not only for her extraordinary business skills, but for her courage in sustaining Jewish life in a deeply precarious time — a lasting example of leadership, strength, and commitment to community.
