Flags and standards of the Napoleonic Wars

It has not been my intention in compiling this book to attempt to give a complete encyclopedia for flags and standards of the Napoleonic era. Such an undertaking would produce an immense work running into several volumes and requiring a lifetime's research. This book contains information on the flags and standards of the main combatants of the Napoleonic conflicts. It is designed to be of interest to model soldier makers and collectors, diorama makers, and wargamers who wish to have their armies led by the correct colours.
I have dealt with the countries in alphabetical order for easy reference. The size of the sections dealing with the different countries varies greatly and there are several reasons for this. The main reason is that whereas some countries had a standard pattern with no (or only minor) differences between the designs for different units, others had individual patterns for just about every formation, Britain being among the latter. For this reason it has been necessary to severely edit the number of illustrations for such countries as they would individually demand a complete book in themselves. I have however included as much information and as many drawings as possible so that the reader will be able to deduce those designs not illustrated.
I have stayed strictly with flags and standards and have not gone into the various fanions carried as these too demand a study in themselves. Wherever possible I have used as reference actual existing items. It is evident from these relics that quality and design varied greatly, and often the devices were poorly drawn and painted on the silk or cloth. Central devices were often far from central or even upright. It is a great temptation when drawing these to straighten up the lines, sweeten curves and make circles actually circular. 1 have resisted this temptation as much as possible and attempted to show them as they were.