Following the Norman Conquest, King William I established a social structure based on land ownership and military service. In 1086, he ordered a comprehensive survey of England's resources. Why was this record, known as the Domesday Book, essential for managing the new feudal system?
- It provided a precise account of land and livestock to determine tax levels and the military obligations of landholders.Answer
- BIt established a legal framework that allowed peasants to claim private ownership of the land they farmed.
- CIt was used to ensure that the original Anglo-Saxon nobility retained their ancestral lands and titles.
- DIt served as a religious census to record the population's transition from paganism to Christianity.
Answer
The Domesday Book was essential because it provided a precise account of land and livestock to determine tax levels and the military obligations of landholders.
The Domesday Book was a landmark administrative survey that allowed King William I to understand the wealth of his new kingdom. By recording land ownership and assets like livestock, the King could accurately assess taxes and ensure that the feudal lords provided the military service (knights) they owed in exchange for their land grants.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
The Domesday Book and the Feudal System
Practice More
Research the Battle of Hastings (1066) to understand how William the Conqueror initially took control of England before commissioning this survey.
Estimated Time:45s