Question

Difficulty: MediumThe Norman Conquest

In 10851085, nearly twenty years after his victory at the Battle of Hastings, William the Conqueror commissioned a comprehensive survey of England to assist with the kingdom's taxation and land management. Which of the following best describes the level of detail captured in this record, known as the Domesday Book?

  1. A
    It was a collection of maps showing the strategic locations of all new stone castles built by the Normans.
  2. It recorded every town, the people who lived there, and even the amount of land and animals they owned.Answer
  3. C
    It was a legal charter that established the first set of civil rights for ordinary citizens against the King.
  4. D
    It listed only the names and titles of the Norman noblemen who had accompanied William in 10661066.

Answer

The Domesday Book recorded every town, the people who lived there, and even the amount of land and animals they owned.
The correct answer accurately reflects that the Domesday Book was an incredibly detailed census. It was used by William the Conqueror to understand the resources of England so he could effectively tax his subjects. It famously included details down to the number of animals on each piece of land.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the historical context
The event is the 1085 survey ordered by William the Conqueror.
Knowing the year and the ruler helps distinguish between different historical documents like the Magna Carta or the Bayeux Tapestry.
2
Recall the specific purpose of the 1085 survey
The survey was intended to record the wealth and population of England for taxation purposes.
This purpose defines the content of the resulting book.
3
Verify the contents of the Domesday Book
Historical records show it was a comprehensive census of land, people, and livestock.
This matches the handbook's specific emphasis on people and animals.

Key Concept

The Domesday Book as a comprehensive census for taxation
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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