Surveying the Domesday Book

The Domesday Book was commissioned in 1085 by William The Conqueror to assess wealth and assets for tax collection, providing valuable information on land-use, local economies, and land disputes. However, Simon Keith's analysis suggests it was a fiscal failure and was never used to collect taxes. The study examines the foundation of the Domesday book and the logistical problems surveyors faced.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 160 pages
Publication date: 15 February 2022
Publisher: Oxbow Books

The Domesday Book, commissioned in December 1085 by order of William The Conqueror, is widely believed to have been used to assess wealth and assets for tax collection purposes, and it holds an immense amount of information on land use, local economies, and even land disputes between neighbors. This groundbreaking analysis of the Domesday book from the perspective of a professional land surveyor and valuer aims to calculate a timeline for its creation, analyze the survey's purpose, the nature of the data collected, and how it was utilized. By reverse-engineering the survey, Simon Keith proposes that while the document was an outstanding administrative success as a survey, it was, in fact, a fiscal failure that was never used directly to collect any taxes.

This fascinating study examines the foundation of the well-established, successful, and sophisticated hidage assessments upon which the Domesday book was built, discusses the likely timeline of the survey, and examines the logistical problems that are universal to surveyors throughout history.

The Domesday Book was a comprehensive survey of England and Wales conducted in 1086 by order of King William I, also known as William the Conqueror. The survey was intended to gather information about the land, property, and people of the kingdom, which would be used to assess taxes and allocate resources. The book is divided into two parts: the first part lists the landholdings of each noble and bishop, while the second part provides details about the people, their landholdings, and their resources.

The Domesday Book is an invaluable source of information about medieval England and Wales. It provides a detailed picture of the land and property ownership of the time, as well as information about the social and economic conditions of the people. The survey also sheds light on the political and military structures of the kingdom, as well as the relationships between different landowners and tenants.

One of the most significant features of the Domesday Book is its detailed information about land use. The book provides a detailed account of the types of land that were cultivated, the crops that were grown, and the livestock that were raised. This information is useful for understanding the agricultural practices of the time and the economic importance of different types of land.

The Domesday Book also provides valuable information about local economies. The survey includes details about the number of people living in each village, the types of businesses that were operating, and the trade that was conducted. This information is useful for understanding the economic development of different regions of the kingdom and the role that different industries played in the medieval economy.

The Domesday Book also sheds light on land disputes between neighbors. The survey includes details about the boundaries of landholdings, the rights and privileges of different landowners, and the disputes that were resolved between them. This information is useful for understanding the legal and political structures of the kingdom and the role that the monarchy played in resolving land disputes.

Despite its many benefits, the Domesday Book was not without its flaws. The survey was conducted over a period of several years, and the information that was collected was not always accurate or complete. There are also some inconsistencies in the data, which can be difficult to interpret. Additionally, the book was not intended to be a comprehensive record of all the land and property in the kingdom, and it excludes some areas, such as the Scottish Highlands and the Isle of Man.

Despite these flaws, the Domesday Book remains an important source of information about medieval England and Wales. It provides a detailed picture of the land and property ownership of the time, as well as information about the social and economic conditions of the people. The survey also sheds light on the political and military structures of the kingdom, as well as the relationships between different landowners and tenants.

In conclusion, the Domesday Book is a valuable source of information about medieval England and Wales. It provides a detailed picture of the land and property ownership of the time, as well as information about the social and economic conditions of the people. The survey also sheds light on the political and military structures of the kingdom, as well as the relationships between different landowners and tenants. While the book is not without its flaws, it remains an important source of information for historians, scholars, and anyone interested in the history of medieval England and Wales.

Weight: 396g
Dimension: 184 x 245 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781914427107