Licoricia of Winchester: Marriage, Motherhood and Murder in the Medieval Anglo-Jewish Community

by Suzanne Bartlet, Patricia E. Skinner (Editor)

On a spring day in 1277, the prominent Jewish businesswoman Licoricia of Winchester was found by her daughter murdered, stabbed to death in her own house. Alongside Licoricia's body was that of her Christian maid, Alice. Why was Licoricia killed? And why was her death reported as far away as Germany? In this ground-breaking new book, Suzanne Bartlet draws on extensive research in the fiscal archives of medieval England, most notably those of the Jewish Exchequer, to examine the family history behind the famous murder. This is the story of Licoricia's route to wealth through advantageous marriages (her second amidst a divorce scandal which was referred to the Beth Din in Paris) and business acumen, the business contacts she made, the close relationship she appears to have had with King Henry III, and the altogether more mixed fortunes of her sons. By using Licoricia's family as an example, Bartlet demonstrates the gradual deterioration in the conditions of even the wealthiest Jews in England in the run up to the Expulsion of 1290, as well as drawing together the fragments of a medieval life which has long fascinated historians, but has never been fully investigated. [Subject: Medieval History, Jewish Studies, Women's Studies, Business History]

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Judaism, Medieval, British Literature

176 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Licoricia was a Jewish woman living in 13th century southern England. She and her maid were found murdered and the culprit(s) never brought to justice. Here, Bartlet recreates life in medieval England for the Jewish inhabitants and pieces together Licoricia's life from the official records. This is a fascinating look at how Jews and Christians co-existed before the Expulsion in the late 13th century.

[Phyllis Bismanovsky · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting scholarly book on the Jews of Medieval England. Learned about this very interesting and wealthy Jewish woman named Licorice and other successful non-moneylending Jews of the time until they were kicked out.

[Richard Keogh · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful portal fo the past. A society uncovered based on its treatment of a minority group. Slight loss of narrative in parts but wonderful history.