Inherited apparantly - The right to 'Cossackdom' is passed down the male line. Grandad was a Cossack so therefore was Dad, so am I and so on. Grandad also became a Russian Orthodox priest when he came to England - So he was a Cossack in a cassock:-)

Did you ever see the 'Likely Lads' sketch, Kevin?

What's them things you kneel on in Church?

A Cossack?

No, that's one of them Russian blokes that rides round on a horse.

I thought that was a Cassock?

No, the priest wears one of them.

I thought that was a hassock?

:D (tG)