A group of Salisbury Soroptimists joined a large audience in Salisbury Cathedral for a lively talk by Professor Janina Ramirez about her latest book Legenda. She was delighted to be in the Cathedral on International Women’s Day speaking on such a relevant topic.
Speaking entirely without notes Janina dazzled everyone with tales of medieval women who had not only held their own but had excelled in their time. This latest book tells the stories of women who have subsequently been adopted by various ideological interests and thereby had their stories distorted.
Legenda follows an earlier book, Femina which explores the many roles of women in the medieval world. They were not confined to the kitchen and child rearing. Archaeological evidence shows women buried with weapons and valuable artefacts, demonstrating their high status in the society.
We discovered the importance of dressing for the cold of the Cathedral on a March evening!