Were there any surveys done in the middle ages of England and Wales for the areas not covered by the Domesday book?

How was the information collected for the Domesday Book?

The information in the survey was collected by Royal commissioners who were sent out around England. The country was split up into 7 regions, or ‘circuits’, with 3 or 4 commissioners being assigned to each.

Was the survey called the Domesday Book when it was written?

Domesday is our most famous and earliest surviving public record. It is a highly detailed survey and valuation of land holding and resources in late 11th century England. The survey was a massive enterprise, and the record of that survey, Domesday Book, was a remarkable achievement.

What was the Domesday Book in the Middle Ages?

Domesday Book was a comprehensive survey and record of all the landowners, property, tenants and serfs of medieval Norman England. It was compiled in 1086-7 under the orders of William the Conqueror (r. 1066-87).

What information did the Domesday Book contain?

Domesday is Britain’s earliest public record. It contains the results of a huge survey of land and landholding commissioned by William I in 1085. Domesday is by the far the most complete record of pre-industrial society to survive anywhere in the world and provides a unique window on the medieval world.

Why was the Domesday Survey important?

The Domesday Book was finished in 1086, a year before William’s death. The detailed records made it possible for taxes to be raised and these helped William and future medieval monarchs administer and rule the country.

How many Domesday surveys were there?

In fact there are two Domesday Books – Little Domesday and Great Domesday, which together contain a great deal of information about England in the 11th century.

Why are some places not in the Domesday Book?

Only some small villages in the countryside are not in the book. Major cities like London and Winchester are also not in the Domesday Book, perhaps because of their size, or because (not owning land), the people could not be taxed.

What questions did the Domesday survey ask?

The questions asked can be summarised as follows:

  • What is the manor.
  • Who held it in the time of King Edward (in 1066)?
  • Who holds it now (in 1086)?
  • How many hides are there?
  • How many plough.
  • How many free men, sokemen.
  • How much woodland, meadow, pasture, mills, fisheries?

What did the Domesday Book survey investigate?

The survey’s main purpose was to record the annual value of every piece of landed property to its lord, and the resources in land, manpower, and livestock from which the value derived. The name “Domesday Book” came into use in the 12th century.



How long did it take to collect the information for the Domesday Book?

Finally, a single scribe was assigned the task of turning all seven circuit returns into a single document. This volume is now known as Great Domesday Book. The scribe probably began in late summer 1086 while results from the inquest were still coming in. Scholars estimate it would have taken at least a year to write.

What are the primary sources of the Domesday Book?

Primary Sources

  • (1) Richard FitzNeal, Dialogue Concerning the Exchequer (c.
  • (2) Bishop Robert of Hereford wrote in 1086 about William’s survey of England.
  • (3) Florence of Worcester was an English monk.
  • (4) Anglo-Saxon Chronicles, Version E, entry for 1085.
  • (5) Domesday entry for Brooke in Norfolk.

How long did it take to carry out the Domesday Book survey?

The Saxon Chronicle states that it took place in 1085, while other sources state that it was done in 1086. The whole survey took less than a year to complete and the books can be found in the Public Records Office.

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