Belia of Winchester (d. after 1273) was an English-Jewish businesswoman and moneylender. [1] [2]
Belia was married to Deulebene (d. 1235) and became active in business as a widow. [3] Her mother-in-law Chera of Winchester (d. 1244) was also a prominent moneylender with business in Kent, Nottingham and Devon, and sometimes her business partner. [4] Belia became an important member of the Winchester community.
In 1241 Belia became the only woman in medieval England elected to be responsible for the Winchester hostage, her brother-in-law Elias, who was answerable for collecting the community's tallage. [5] She moved to Bedford after her second marriage to Pictavin of Bedford and established her business there. [6] [7]
She is one of the more documented of many prominent female moneylenders in medieval England, alongside Licoricia of Winchester, Avigay of London; Belassez of Oxford; Comitissa of Cambridge; Floria, widow of Bonevie of Newbury; Floria, widow of Master Elias; Henne, widow of Aaron of York; Henne, widow of Jacob of Oxford; Milka of Canterbury and her daughter, Mirabel of Gloucester. [8] [9]
Belia of Winchester (d. after 1273) was an English-Jewish businesswoman and moneylender. [1] [2]
Belia was married to Deulebene (d. 1235) and became active in business as a widow. [3] Her mother-in-law Chera of Winchester (d. 1244) was also a prominent moneylender with business in Kent, Nottingham and Devon, and sometimes her business partner. [4] Belia became an important member of the Winchester community.
In 1241 Belia became the only woman in medieval England elected to be responsible for the Winchester hostage, her brother-in-law Elias, who was answerable for collecting the community's tallage. [5] She moved to Bedford after her second marriage to Pictavin of Bedford and established her business there. [6] [7]
She is one of the more documented of many prominent female moneylenders in medieval England, alongside Licoricia of Winchester, Avigay of London; Belassez of Oxford; Comitissa of Cambridge; Floria, widow of Bonevie of Newbury; Floria, widow of Master Elias; Henne, widow of Aaron of York; Henne, widow of Jacob of Oxford; Milka of Canterbury and her daughter, Mirabel of Gloucester. [8] [9]