Historical Figures

What details did the doomsday book contain?

The Domesday Book, also called the Great Survey or the Winchester Rolls, was a manuscript record of the "Great Survey" of England and parts of Wales completed by order of King William I in 1086. The survey was carried out by royal commissioners who travelled throughout the country and recorded details about each town and village, including:

- The name and location of the village

- The size and composition of the population

- The amount and type of land

- The value of the land and its produce

- The names and details of the landowners

- The value of churches and other religious buildings

- The value of mills, fisheries and other sources of income

- The existence and value of any forests or parks

- The presence and details of any castles or other fortifications

The Domesday Book was a massive undertaking and is an incredibly valuable historical resource, providing a detailed snapshot of England and Wales in the late 11th century.