Domesday book

• what was the doomsday book?

  -Survey of England to find out how much was owned by each landowner and whether they could pay more tax
• why did William commission the Domesday book?

  -To help collect taxes accurately and ensure William received as much money as possible

  -to make sure feudal lords were not hiding wealth that could threaten his position

  -to make it clear that all land was held by the kings permission
• how long was the doomsday book?

  913 pages long
• what was in the domes day book?

  -who lived where and who owned what land and property

  -overall value of each mans property including animals and ploughs

  -who held wealth and therefore power in which parts of the country
• what did the Domesday survey show?

  -William and family owned 20 percent of land

  -church held about 25 percent

  -10 members of the Norman aristocracy held 25 percent between them

  -170 others held the remaining 30 percent\
• what was the financial significance of the domesday book?

  -allowed king and clerks to see how much money in taxes were owed by each estate
• what was the legal significance of the Domesday book?

  -way of sorting out legal disputes

  -especially Anglo Saxons who had lost land in land grabs by Normans
• what was the military significance of the Domesday book?

  -showed William how many soldiers were available if they were needed