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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Rock Bands And An Oxford CV
- Janina Ramirez played in three rock bands while pursuing an elite academic CV.
- She balanced punk gigs with Oxford study and still carried a scar from a student party altercation.
Personal Roots Shape Historical Passion
- Ramirez's passion for history grew from visceral moments in historic places and family legacy.
- She argues people of the past were
Structure Reveals How Myths Are Built
- Legenda pairs medieval and modern women across seven European regions to trace nation-building myths.
- Ramirez compares original lives with later nationalist rewrites to show how myths form.
