SIR: Christopher Gordon is correct in his letter (Chronicle, February 10) when he says the statue to Licoricia that was unveiled last week probably would not have happened were it not for the groundbreaking research done by Sue Bartlet into the medieval Jewish history of Winchester.

We must all acknowledge the immense credit due to her for revealing the story of Licoricia’s amazing life. It is through Sue that we have the opportunity to learn of Licoricia’s ability and strength of character that makes her such a powerful role model for women today. Sarah Herrity, teaching and learning advisor for Hampshire, has utilised Licoricia’s story to create a captivating programme for children’s education in the county.

Licoricia’s narrative looks from an unconventional angle at the significant Jewish community of Winchester prior to the expulsion of all Jews from England in 1290. It illustrates to us how a minority culture can benefit the wider community socially, creatively and financially. We can also see the value of education, as she was able to represent herself in the presence of King Henry III and in the law courts.

So a big thank you to Sue Bartlet, who I only got to know when she was already very ill. Even then I found her to be a warm, capable and determined person. She began the process that has led to a statue of an important female character from our past being unveiled in this city. This sculpture is a wonderful reminder of her and her ten years of detailed analysis. May the restored identity of Licoricia bring communities closer and make ‘love thy neighbour’ a statement that applies to us as individuals and to Winchester.

Danny Habel,

Bere Close,

Weeke,

Winchester

SIR: Chris Gordon’s letter in last week’s Chronicle recognising Suzanne Bartlet’s work is much appreciated by her friends and family.

The Bartlet dwelling, then and now, is on the edge of the Jewish Cemetery operational in 13th century Winchester. Excavations of the site in the early 90s fascinated Sue, a Jew herself. Keen to find out more about the Jews of Winchester she asked me to join her in looking up historical records available in the Local Resources Centre in what is now the Arc. There we came across a brief uninformative reference to a 13th century Jewess called Licoricia. Captivated by the name Sue’s decade long project had begun. So, remarkably, Licoricia’s emergence occurred within a few metres of where her statue now stands.

Sue, with no background in history, sought the help of Southampton University Mediaeval History Department. Trish Skinner, a senior academic there, became her mentor and guide. The research into Licoricia’s life was spread over ten years and was complicated by the cancer that intermittently stressed Sue’s last 22 years. The research, in book form, was completed before her death in 2008. It was Trish that facilitated the book’s publication.

Sue’s political career was distinguished, taking her from the Young Communists to the first Labour, first woman chairmanship of Hampshire County Council. Education and the arts were particular concerns for her. She was for a time vice-chairman of the Sculpture Trust. The story of Hampshire through the ages was close to her heart and she enjoyed working with Barry Cunliffe on the Danebury Trust. This love of Hampshire brought her strangely close to her political adversary, the late Freddie Emery-Wallis. Prior to the Hundred Years of County Councils celebrations in 1989 there were discussions as to how this might be recognised locally. Sue, at that time vice-chairman of the council, thought the historical concept of the Hampshire Hog might fit in here. She put the idea to Emery-Wallis who embraced it immediately and now we have the child friendly statuary outside the Council headquarters.

Sue would be happy with the new statue in its recognition of Licoricia’s brave and creative stance in the face of gross intolerance.

Leslie Bartlet,

St James Terrace,

Winchester

READ MORE: Chronicle comment: An absence filled after more than 700 years

SIR: On the day the beautiful statue of the Jewish citizen Licoricia and her son was unveiled, there was a remarkable and ironic coincidence. The organisation that protects and monitors attacks on Jewish people in the UK, the Community Safety Trust reported that 2021 had been a dreadful year for antisemitic attacks on Jewish people and children. There were 2,555 anti-Jewish hate incidents, a 34 per cent increase on 2020. Some 826 of these were anti-Zionist, related to Israel and the Middle East.

Licoricia was a highly influential business woman. She was probably murdered in what would now be classified as an antisemitic hate crime, possibly related to a substantial debt she was owed. Having lived and worked in the thriving and flourishing Winchester Jewish community, she and her Christian servant Alice were deliberately targeted and killed. Although some men were indicted for her murder, none were convicted and the crime was never solved.

One of the aims of the Trust that established this sculpture in her memory is to promote tolerance and diversity in today’s society. This is a perpetual and significant objective for everyone who believes in a civilised society where differences are addressed and hopefully resolved peacefully. Antisemitism is still very much prevalent in the UK, cultivated by extreme views, opinions and activities by the hard left and right. It is important that her image and memory acts as a reminder to us all. Antisemitism, no matter how subtle or direct, perhaps seemingly insignificant, as well as acts of deliberate harm to other beliefs, religions and races are a crime against humanity. We should not be afraid to condemn these, continuing to call out such hate fuelled persecution wherever and whenever it happens. Let us enjoy the majesty and beauty of Licoricia’s statue, remembering her Jewish legacy and deliberately fateful end.

Peter Rees,

Member, Winchester Labour Party,

Monarch Way,

Winchester

SEE ALSO: Licoricia statue unveiled in Winchester without Prince Charles

SIR: As an observer at the unveiling of the statue of Licoricia, in Jewry Street it was disappointing that Prince Charles could not be there. However, there was a delightful feeling of empathy as a number of those attending the ceremony, including the Chief Rabbi who delivered a heart warming speech addressing the importance of inter-faith harmony. Dean Catherine Ogle and Canon Roly happily engaged with everyone at the unveiling.

Harmony is essential for peace and kindness. Such a ceremony demonstrates what can be achieved.

Simon Lever,

Juniper Close,

Badger Farm

 

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