Bernard: Thanks for patiently commenting on or answering my past questions. While reading the Sharpe Books (The Grail Quest & Starbucke Chronicles, also) I’ve begun to wonder if you could smell these people about a mile away. I realize that hygiene is not the formost consideration when reading an historical action novel, but they must have stunk to high heaven!! You comment on the French horse’s saddle sores and the tell-tale stench. Could you comment on thousands of unwashed bodies and what it would do to those of us with modern hygiene sensiblities? Guy E. Orr