The Bayeux Tapestry: The Complete Tapestry in Colour by David MWilson (Thames and Hudson, 1985)
1066 is surely the most famous year in English – maybe British – history. That’s partly because we are blessed with an amazing pictorial source to bring to life that era-defining episode, the battle of Hastings: the Bayeux Tapestry.
If you want to really get to grips with the 68-metre-long embroidery, go to Bayeux. Failing that, this book is a great alternative. It’s probably too large to fit on your bookshelves, but that’s why it’s so good. Its oversized pages feature a complete colour reproduction of the tapestry, prefaced by a short, clear and authoritative introduction by David MWilson, one-time director of the British Museum. It also includes a short scene-by-scene commentary.