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The Domesday Book

Although William had won the Battle of Hastings, his position as king was still very insecure. He used several methods to secure his throne and establish himself as king.

Tax

Tax

  • In order for William to feel secure on his throne, he needed to ensure he had the money to raise an army and defend himself against an invasion if necessary.
  • To do this, he would have to tax his people.
  • To do this, he would have to know how much they had.
The Domesday Book

The Domesday Book

  • So, William introduced the Domesday Book.
  • He sent commissioners around the country with instructions to find out what people had.
    • For example, how much land they had, how many cows or sheep or pigs they owned, how many peasants worked on their land etc.
Objections

Objections

  • This information was collected from across the country, and compiled in the Domesday Book.
  • This meant that the king knew exactly how much his subjects had, and how much tax he could raise from them.
  • Although this information was useful for the king, many people thought it was an invasion of their privacy, and did not like the way this was carried out.
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Empires East & West: 1000 AD

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The Rise & Fall of Ancient China’s Empire

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The Politics & Power of the Holy Roman Empire

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Medieval Religion

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The Influence of the Church in Medieval Times

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How Religion Tested the Power of Kings

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Dynastic Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

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Medieval England & Her Neighbours

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European Renaissance

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Norman Conquest & Control

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Historical Skills

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The Medieval World: 450-1450 AD

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Anglo-Saxon England

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The Contest for the English Throne

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Conquering the Holy Land, 10-96-1396 AD

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King John

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The Black Death

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The Empire of Mali: 1076-1670 AD

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