Ian Sumner was born in 1953 in Eccles, near Manchester. He originally trained as a librarian in Newcastle-upon-Tyne but is now a freelance author. His previous work for Osprey includes three Men-at-Arms titles on the French Army 1914-45; he has also written several books on the history of the East Riding of Yorkshire, where he now lives with his wife.Richard Hook was born in 1938 and trained at Reigate College of Art. After national service with 1st Bn, Queen's Royal Regiment he became art editor of the much-praised magazine Finding Out during the 1960s. He illustrated more than 30 Osprey titles, earning an international reputation. He died in 2010.

• General introduction and explanation: the evolution of British unit flags pre-1747The 1747 regulationsSubsequent alterations - 1768, 1801, etc.The standards of the regular Cavalry (regiment by regiment)