35 of Blackadder's most cunning quotes and one-liners

From election farce in Georgian times to poignant closing scenes in the trenches of World War One, Richard Curtis and Ben Elton's historical sitcom Blackadder is so beloved it topped a recent poll of TV shows viewers most want back on the box.

Starring Rowan Atkinson as the titular schemer, Tony Robinson as sidekick Baldrick and a host of acting talent in guest and supporting roles, the show celebrates its 35th anniversary next week.

Ahead of the occasion, we're paying tribute to one of Blackadder's strongest assets: its array of memorable quips, insults and one-liners.

Here are 35 of Blackadder's most cunning quotes:

(Some rude humour ahead)

Baldrick: "I have a plan, sir."Blackadder: "Really, Baldrick? A cunning and subtle one?"Baldrick: "Yes, sir."Blackadder: "As cunning as a fox who's just been appointed Professor of Cunning at Oxford University?"

Blackadder: "He's madder than Mad Jack McMad, the winner of last year's Mr Madman competition."

Samuel Johnson: "This book, sir, contains every word in our beloved language."Blackadder: "Every single one, sir?"Samuel Johnson: "Every single word, sir."Blackadder: "Oh, well, in that case, sir, I hope you will not object if I also offer the Doctor my most enthusiastic contrafibularities."

Blackadder: "Percy, far from being a fit consort for a prince of the realm, you would bore the leggings off a village idiot."

Witch Hunter: "The suspect has his head placed upon a block, and an axe aimed at his neck. If the man is guilty, the axe will bounce off his neck '” so we burn him. If the man is not guilty, the axe will simply slice his head off."

Never short of an insult: Rowan Atkinson as Blackadder (Photo: BBC)

Blackadder: "Field Marshal Haig is about to make yet another gargantuan effort to move his drinks cabinet six inches closer to Berlin."

Pitt the Younger: "I intend to put my own brother up as a candidate against you."Blackadder: "And which Pitt would this be? Pitt the Toddler? Pitt the Embryo? Pitt the Glint in the Milkman's Eye?"

Blackadder: "Your brain is so minute Baldrick, that if a hungry cannibal cracked your head open, there wouldn't be enough to cover a small water biscuit."

Blackadder: "Tell me, young crone, is this Putney?"Young Crone: "That it be! That it be!"Blackadder: "'Yes, it is,' not 'That it be'."

Blackadder: "Give the likes of Baldrick the vote and we'll be back to cavorting druids, death by stoning and dung for dinner."

Blackadder: "There hasn't been a war run this badly since Olaf the hairy, King of all the Vikings, ordered 80,000 battle helmets with the horns on the inside."

(Photo: BBC)

Blackadder: "The eyes are open, the mouth moves, but Mr Brain has long since departed, hasn't he, Percy?"

Vincent Hanna: "Can you at least tell me one thing. What does the 'S' in his name stand for?"Blackadder: "Sod off."Vincent Hanna: "I guess it's none of my business really..."

Queenie: "Oh Edmund. I do love it when you get cross. Sometimes I think about having you executed, just to see the expression on your face."

Blackadder: "They do say, Mrs M, that verbal insults hurt more than physical pain. They are, of course, wrong, as you will soon discover when I stick this toasting fork into your head."

Lady Whiteadder: "Wicked Child! Chairs are the work of Belezabub! At our house Nathaneal sits on a spike. And I sit on Nathaneal. Two spikes would be an extravagance..."

Lord Flashheart: "Am I pleased to see you or did I just put a canoe in my pocket?!"

Lord Flashheart: "Enter the man who has no underwear. Ask me why."Others: "Why do you have no underwear, Lord Flash?"Lord Flashheart: "Because the pants haven't been built yet that'll take the job on."

(Photo: BBC)

Blackadder: "Baldrick, believe me, eternity in the company of Beelzebub and all his hellish instruments of death will be a picnic compared to five minutes with me - and THIS pencil."

Prince Ludwig: "We have met many times, although you knew me by another name. Do you recall a mysterious black marketeer and smuggler called Otto with whom you used to dine and plot and play the biscuit game at the old pi