How To Academy Podcast Sir Tony Robinson Meets Janina Ramirez - The Real Women Behind the Medieval Myths
Nov 11, 2025
Janina Ramirez, an Oxford-based medieval historian and author of Legenda, joins Sir Tony Robinson to unravel the true stories behind famous medieval women like Joan of Arc and Lady Godiva. They discuss how these women's narratives have been distorted by nationalism and myth. Janina highlights the realities of Joan's warrior spirit amid war, the actual legacy of Godgifu, and the shifting roles of women in medieval society. Her insights reveal how history often buries the agency and power of women, prompting a re-evaluation of their impact on our past.
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Corday's Murder Became A Mirror
- Charlotte Corday assassinated Marat to stop revolutionary bloodshed and was instantly vilified.
- Britain hailed her as a heroine, even calling her a 'second Joan of Arc', showing rival national narratives.
Women's Agency Declined Over Centuries
- Medieval Europe offered significant public roles for women, including abbesses and political actors.
- Ramirez tracks a decline in women's public agency through the Reformation and rise of 'separate spheres'.
Convent Closures Hurt Women's Power
- The Reformation closed female monastic communities, removing education and power centers for women.
- Ramirez calls convents 'powerhouses' that provided healthcare, education and economic roles before closure.
