Silhouettes of girls in front of a world map

5 Moments of Girl Power in Knightmare

By Keith McDonald

Knightmare was mentioned in an article about gender equality in the Evening Standard - so we've picked five top moments of Knightmare girl power to enjoy.


Rosamund Urwin writes that men with daughters are getting behind gender equality as they witness their daughters' struggles.

"We can't begin to understand a type of prejudice that doesn't affect us - be it sexism or anti-Semitism - until we listen to those it does," she says.

Before that, we're like the blind dungeoneer in Knightmare: we need someone who can see to guide us.

Rosamund Urwin

See the full article.

Admittedly, Knightmare did tread a fine line in some respects.

We heard Lord Fear shouting "Never trust a woman to do anything" during the Series 5 conclusion.

We saw a blonde 'Sidriss the Confused' (and a 'Bimboid' robot). We also heard the escapades of the wondering troubadour who repeatedly got caught with his breeches round his ankles.

But despite this, Knightmare also gave us the following:

Morghanna (1989)

The dark melodramatic sorceress only appeared twice in Series 3, but claimed victims on both occasions.

100% kill rate. Beat that!

Morghanna, the Sorceress, played by Natasha Pope in Series 3 of Knightmare (1989).

You were simply no match for Morghanna.

Treguard

Julie and Team (1993)

Arguably the best two teams to appear on Knightmare appeared back-to-back at the end of Series 7.

It was Julie Connell and team from Staffordshire who led the way, becoming the only team to successfully retrieve the Sword.

Knightmare Series 7 Team 6. Lord Fear appears for the final encounter as Julie draws the Sword.

In a fabulous scene, they also got Sylvester Hands drunk. "FOUR DEAD GOBLINS..."

Knightmare Series 7 Team 6. Julie offers Sylvester Hands a drink.

Outstanding job, ladies!

Maldame (1994)

I got where I am today by sheer ability!

Maldame

Love her or loathe her, Maldame carried the rhetoric and demeanour of the recently deposed Margaret Thatcher.

Maldame, the 'Iron Maiden', was played by Iona Kennedy in Series 8 of Knightmare (1994).

Full of sanctimonious remarks about "young people today", she bargained her way into one of Lord Fear's towers with Machiavellian intent and set up home.

Visiting dungeoneers were expected to kneel before she would address them.

Knightmare Series 8 Team 3. Nathan kneels to appease the sorceress Maldame in Linghorm.

Lord Fear sent a red dragon to destroy her, but it appears she came off best. She proved to be a real survivor in an unforgiving environment.

Majida (1993-4)

You think a girl can't do this? Like camel I spit on you!

Majida

Majida the Genie, played by Jackie Sawiris in Series 7 of Knightmare (1993).

Treguard's new assistant in 1993 took a little getting used to.

At first fiery and obstinate, she quickly became absorbed by the game and provoked a lot of laughs in her two-year spell.

She also holds the record for one of the longest names in the history of mankind. (Listen to the opening to Series 7 to find out!)

Knightmare Series 7 Team 6. Magic stars fly as Julie returns to the antechamber.

The Dungeon Master soon grew fond of her and her outbursts, as we did too. It wasn't too hard after Pickle, was it?

Oop! Boy! Treguard - you sure about this one? Maybe we throw him back and get another girl?

Majida

Sophia vs. Elita (1992)

You're a face-ache too.

Sophia

The famously difficult cavern-elf came across a dungeoneer who was quite happy to give as good as she got.

Knightmare Series 6 Team 6. Sophia, the dungeoneer.

The funny thing was - Elita had been in an unusually polite mood.

It was a young team in play, and with the season end approaching, the story arc took priority over her riskier bursts of attitude.

Knightmare Series 6 Team 6. Sophia finds Elita hunting through a chest.

But Sophia wasn't taking even casual insults lying down.

By Level 3, tension was at boiling point. And with one more jibe, Elita had heard enough.

She was only narrowly persuaded to save Sophia's skin and send goblin master Skarkill packing.

Knightmare Series 6 Team 6. Elita senses revenge as she stands between Sophia and Skarkill the Goblin Master.

Sophia also got a kiss on the hand from the lothario, Ridolfo, who raised a few giggles among the advisors.

I, of course, got to thank you on behalf of all o'the ladies with-a the empty lives.

Ridolfo

So yes - the connection between Knightmare and feminism has some question marks on occasion.

But for entertainment value and its development of boys and girls alike, I'm not sure we can fault it for trying.

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Treguard, the Dungeon Master

Treguard the Dungeon Master, in Series 1 (1987). Played by Hugo Myatt.

Treguard the Dungeon Master was the host of Knightmare. He presided over the gameplay from an antechamber in Knightmare Castle.

Snake / Scorpion Room

The scorpion with its snapping tail and additional floor tiles removed from Series 3 of Knightmare.

Usually a Level 1 challenge, this room contained various hazardous creatures, including a snake and a scorpion.

Door Option Room

The door option room, often the first room of the dungeon in Series 1 of Knightmare.

A room with four doors, often used towards the beginning of a quest in the early seasons of Knightmare.

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