British Colours & Standards 1747–1881 (1)

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 two 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 is one of the world's greatest military illustrators and has contributed to more than 30 Osprey titles. He is also an authority on the native peoples of North America, a subject for which he has had a life-long passion.

• General introduction and explanation - the evolution of British unit flags pre-1747; the 1747 regulations; subsequent alterations - 1768, 1801 etc; the standards of the regular Cavalry (regiment by regiment); the colours of the Foot Guards.