Legenda : The Real Women Behind the Myths That Shaped Europe

From the bestselling author of "Femina," a brilliant reappraisal of the medieval women whose lives have been exploited for political, nation-building ends.

In "Legenda," bestselling historian Professor Janina Ramirez peels back the layers of time to reveal how the lives of women have been co-opted by those with nationalist agendas. Famous medieval women like Joan of Arc, Lady Godiva, and Isabella of Castile have been misrepresented, their stories twisted and weaponised. Meanwhile, ground-breaking 18th- and 19th-century women who blazed a trail through revolutionary Europe have been forgotten, their legacies dismissed or ignored.

Searching for the real women behind the legends, Ramirez interrogates what defines a nation and who gets to build it, shining a light on how history is so often hijacked to serve the ideological and political interests of the present.

Praise for "Legenda":
'Fearless, stunning and shockingly relevant' Alice Roberts, author of "Domination"
'A history like no other. Fabulous, invigorating and beguiling' Kate Mosse, author of "Labyrinth"
'Sensational. Janina Ramirez is writing women back into history one by one' Lauren Laverne
'A brilliant concept, conveyed with that dynamo mix: academic authority and storytelling pizzazz' Alice Loxton, author of "Eighteen"