II) How did William the conqueror control England?
When William had conquered England successfully in 1066 he had four key problems. He needed:
- To reward his loyal followers (Normans) and those in England who supported him.
- Money (invading England was expensive!);
- An army in case anyone else tried to invade England (The Danes).
- To show the Anglo-Saxons that he was in control and to stop any rebellions.
A) The Domesday Book (1086)
Domes-day means ‘day of judgment’ (Doomsday) when God judges the living and the dead.
The Domesday got its name because it was supposed to be such a complete record of information that it would last forever. Just like Judgement Day, no one could escape being recorded in the Domesday Book…
Source 1: Excerpt from The Domesday Book (1086)
“In the city of York, before 1066 there were 6 shires besides the Arbishop’s. One of these has been laid waste for the castles. In 5 shires there were 1418 inhabited dwellings. Out of the aforementioned dwellings there are now inhabited in the King’s hand, paying customary dues, 400 less 9, both large and small; 400 dwellings not inhabited of which the better ones pays 1 penny and the others less; and 540 dwellings so empty that they pay nothing at all; and the Frenchmen hold 145 dwellings.”
Shires= counties ; to lay waste : rester en friche
Aforementioned a matter which hast just been referred to.; Due : a tax Dwelling: a place where people live
Source 2:
‘ King William sent his men to all parts of England. They had to find out how much land the King had.
They also found out how much land the churches and his barons held. This was done so well that every scrap of land, and every ox, cow, and pig was put into the report”.
Written by a monk at Worcester soon after the year 1100.
scrap of land: a piece of land; an ox : un boeuf.
A report/ a survey : a detailed investigation.
Barons: a lord, the most important barons were called Earls, they owned lands from the sovereign or a powerful overlord (= suzerain).
