Writing a new history

Dr Janina Ramirez
Honorary Visiting Fellow
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discovering lost works

“The Middle Ages are often seen as a bloodthirsty time of Vikings, saints and kings: a male-dominated society which oppressed and excluded women. However, hidden from the histories are countless women whose lives challenge this view.

"While searching for a manuscript, I came across the records of a religious library. They showed various books being removed from the collection, all the way back to 1640. For each crossed-out book was a note in the margin to explain why. Often it was because they were considered heretical, or unorthodox, or witchcraft. But some were marked ‘FEMINA’: written by a woman.

"So women’s histories were written, but over time they have been lost or erased. This reveals much more about the librarians than it does about the authors. The women’s stories that we do have are frequently accidental survivors. Using approaches from different disciplines allows us to discover stories that would otherwise be unrecoverable."

Studying in a medieval city

"Medieval studies weaves together history, archaeology, literature, art history and more. As a student, it encouraged me to be wide-ranging and open-minded in my research. Studying at York was a dream come true for a medieval nerd. It was only supposed to be for one year, but I was so hooked by the remarkable medievalists this city boasts that I stayed on to do my PhD.

"I came to York from Oxford, where a small flame of passion for medieval literature had been lit. But here the little spark turned into an inferno! One of my favourite memories was performing the Mystery Plays with the Lords of Misrule. The plays are one of York’s oldest traditions, telling bible stories from old wagons, pushed around the city's cobbled streets. We performed in Middle English, and were filmed for a BBC documentary on the history of language. It was my first time on screen!"

Embracing your time at york

"Your time in York will shape you as a person. Enjoy every second. Make the most of the exceptional tutors and resources you have at your fingertips. But also take time to explore the historically significant and beautiful city around you. Fill your mind with memories and experiences, as well as knowledge.”