I was watching Sharpes Eagle recently and I couldn’t help but wonder if the veneration of these regimental symbols were at all realistic? And if so why? Also, would the flag really have been touched by the King himself?
For those who perhaps haven’t watched Sharpes Eagle, a flag bearing the ‘Kings own colours’ is lost by a British Regiment. The regimental leader is seriously admonished with one man even recommending he blows his own brains out.
if the veneration of these regimental symbols were at all realistic? And if so why? Also, would the flag really have been touched by the King himself?
I can't speak to the third question, as to whether the King would have touched his colours (or, since it's relevant to the episode and the book, Napoleon his eagles), but for everything else? Hogan's contempt and Wellesley's outrage are well within character. This previous thread has just the same question also inspired by the Sharpe episode, ably answered by u/DonaldFDraper and also featuring me chipping in.
As always, if anyone else would like to address the question, especially about how they related to their monarchs, don't let this post stop you! And if you have any follow-up questions, OP, don't hesitate to ask them.