Bestselling author Dr Janina Ramirez completes nationwide book tour

A major new book by Harris Manchester Research Fellow Dr Janina Ramirez has been given an enthusiastic welcome by readers following a nationwide tour. Legenda: The Real Women Behind the Myths that Shaped Europe, which was released in November, explores how figures such as Joan of Arc, Lady Godiva and Isabella of Castile have been misrepresented and their stories exploited for political ends while other trailblazing women have been ignored or dismissed.

Published by WH Allen, it follows Dr Ramirez’s previous book, Femina: A New History of the Middle Ages, Through the Women Written Out of It, which came out in 2022 and was an instant Sunday Times bestseller, staying in the charts for 11 weeks.

Dr Janina Ramirez on stage during her book tour

Dr Ramirez commented: “Taking Legenda on tour has been incredible. I wanted to get all over the UK, so did events in Wales, Scotland and all across England for over a month and a half. It was exhilarating travelling to a new place every day, even if public transport was against me at times. The highlight was certainly speaking in the Sheldonian here in Oxford – it really was a 'life moment' for me as I remembered matriculating in that iconic building, only to be talking about my book on stage a quarter of a century later! I have been overwhelmed by the love and support shown to me everywhere I have visited, and cannot thank everyone enough for getting behind me and my book.”

Dr Ramirez, who has also featured regularly on the BBC, in documentary series such as Raiders of the Lost Past, and in programmes for other broadcasters, will be the first guest in a regular series of conversations hosted by Professor Beth Breeze with public figures at Harris Manchester College. “In Conversation with…Dr Janina Ramirez” is a free event which is open to the public; it will take place in the College’s newly renovated arts and crafts chapel on 2 February.