The Bayeux Tapestry is unique, not only by virtue of its age, but also because it is an artistic and cultural testimonial which gives a startling insight into people's lives in the late Viking Age. The 70-meter-long tapestry is illustrated here in its entirety. Each complete scene, with the text belonging to it, is reproduced on a double page of the book - exactly as the artist may have wished it in his time. The beautiful and often dramatic pictures are presented and explained by the Danish archaeologist Mogens Rud. The author provides background material on contemporary political and dynastic conflicts; he gives a vivid account of the living conditions of the Vikings, who are so realistically portrayed in the Bayeux Tapestry's multicolored embroidery.