Licoricia of Winchester

Medium term plans

The Lost Story of Licoricia

Download the medium term plans to help you plan the teaching of key substantive and disciplinary knowledge within the Year.

Teachers will use the power of this remarkable personal story that has been reconstructed by historian Bartlett and reimagined here for children, to teach them about the diverse experiences of people living under powerful medieval kings and immerse them in the medieval world.

Enquiry 1: Who had the power in medieval England?

Enquiry 2 Step 1: What mattered to people in medieval England?

Enquiry 2 Step 2: What challenges did different people face in medieval England?

Enquiry 2 Step 3: Why is it difficult for historians to find out about Licoricia and what happened to her family?

Enquiry 2 Step 4: How should we tell the story of Licoricia?  Meaningful outcome: create a podcast for visitors to Licoricia’s Statue

 Children will be introduced to the medieval period and the main groups of people who lived within it to create a human power-line! Going deeper they will find out how the Jewish community sat outside of the normal power structures and consider how their lives were made better or worse by choices made by the king and the Church.

Licoricia’s story reveal’s the diverse experiences of daily city life through the eyes of Licoricia and Henry III who is spending Christmas in Winchester. Children explore what mattered to medieval people and discover England’s connections with the wider medieval world through trade routes, the Angevin Empire and the Church. 

 Following the dramatic events of Licoricia’s story children will learn the challenges that different medieval people faced and why the period was particularly dangerous for the Jewish community.

As children read the end of Licoricia’s story with the teacher they consider why it is hard for historians to find out about her. They will look at evidence available to support historian Bartlet’s claims and learn how to use the language of certainty. 

Children will study the reasons historians give to support their claims on the historical significance of Licoricia. The resources support children in using their knowledge to create a podcast to share with listeners who are visiting the statue of Licoricia and Asher.