Licoricia of Winchester

Licoricia of Winchester, the second wife of David of Oxford (one of the wealthiest financiers in England in the 13th century), was a successful businesswoman herself. Her first husband, Abraham son of Isaac, was an extremely wealthy moneylender. She took over his business after his death, first appearing in records in 1234.In 1242 she married David of Oxford, who had recently been involved in scandal because he divorced his first wife, Muriel, without her consent, which was contrary to Jewish practice. King Henry III had to step in and forbid anyone from interfering with David's choice of wife.She bore David a son, but David died two years after their marriage. Since the kings of England were able to claim one-third of the decedent's estate, Henry had all the records of his debts brought to Winchester for examination. He also had Licoricia brought to London and imprisoned in the Tower to prevent her from trying to interfere with the accounting process. Once the accounting was…