The Domesday Book

The Domesday Book is a comprehensive record compiled in 1086 under King William the Conqueror of England. It surveyed landholdings, resources, and the population across the kingdom, serving as a vital administrative tool for taxation and governance. The name "Domesday" reflects its finality—like the Day of Judgment—since it established a clear account of ownership and wealth. This historical document not only provides insights into medieval life but also marks one of the earliest examples of systematic record-keeping in England, influencing property law and administration for centuries.