A Need for Control
By 1085, William had ruled England for nearly twenty years.
Although many rebellions had been defeated, William still wanted stronger control over his kingdom.
The survey would help him understand exactly what he ruled.
Tax Collection
One of William’s main goals was collecting taxes.
The more information he had, the easier it would be to decide:
- Who should pay tax
- How much they should pay
- Which areas were wealthy
The Domesday Book helped William increase royal income.
Land Ownership
William also wanted to know who owned land.
After the Norman Conquest, many English nobles had lost their lands.
Norman nobles had received large estates.
The survey helped William check:
- Who owned land
- Whether land had been transferred correctly
- Whether anyone was becoming too powerful
Defence
England might still face invasion from abroad.
William needed to know what resources were available.
The survey provided information about:
- Horses
- Livestock
- Population
- Wealth
This would help the king raise armies if necessary.