Hi Mr Cornwell, like many people I am a great fan of your books. My favourite work was the Arthur Chronicles until you wrote the Uhtred stories which are truly, truly excellent! My favourite historical period however is the Napoleonic wars, which are obviously close to your heart as well. I read that you have studied this period extensively, if so I wonder if you can throw light on something that has perplexed me for some time? At the battle of Waterloo, the Imperial Guard attacked the British line. All the books state that it was the Middle Guard that largely made this attack. British accounts recall seeing the tall bearskins of the Guard as they marched up the slope. However, in all documented uniform histories, the Middle Guard wore shako’s not bearskins! I understand that for the 100 days campaign Napoleon raised several regiments of Grenadiers and Chasseurs, the most senior obviously being the Old Guard, wearing the distinctive and exclusive bearskin. But if the other regiments were Middle Guard, should they not have worn shako’s. Or was it the Old Guard who attacked, or the Middle Guard who attacked wearing the coveted bearskins for the first time. Or did the British observers get it wrong? What do you think? Finally I can’t wait for the next Uhtred story. I hope that you will write many more! John Bobeski