Domesday Book
The book recording property titles following the Norman Invasion is the Domesday Book, commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086.
It was created to establish a definitive record of land ownership and resources across England and parts of Wales, serving as a comprehensive survey to assert Norman control and determine taxation.
The survey recorded landholdings at two key points: the time of King Edward the Confessor's death in January 1066 and the state of affairs in 1086, allowing historians to trace the profound changes brought by the conquest.
The Domesday Book meticulously documented the transfer of land from Anglo-Saxon owners to Norman barons, showing that by 1086, most land was held by Norman lords, effectively displacing the previous elite.
This record was crucial for legitimizing Norman claims, establishing a framework for feudal dues and taxation, and ensuring the Crown's fiscal rights were secured after the upheaval of the invasion.
The book, written in Medieval Latin, was compiled by royal commissioners who gathered data through public inquiries in shires and hundreds, with sworn testimony from local jurors.
It remains a vital primary source for understanding the social, economic, and political transformation of England following the Norman Conquest.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domesday_Book
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