A Survey of England
The Domesday Book was a huge survey of England carried out in 1085–1086.
It recorded information about:
- Land ownership
- Wealth
- Population
- Farming
- Resources
It was the most detailed record of England ever created up to that time.
Why Is It Called the Domesday Book?
People later compared the survey to the Christian idea of Judgement Day, sometimes called “Doomsday”.
On Judgement Day, people believed God would judge everyone and no mistakes could be made.
Similarly, the information in William’s survey was considered final.
People could not easily challenge its decisions.
This is why it became known as the Domesday Book.