Domesday: Purpose and methodology Monday 24 th November Do Now: Originally called the ‘Winchester Roll’ or ‘King’s Roll’, by 1180 it was known as ‘The Domesday Book’. Why do you think this is the case? What does it reveal about attitudes towards the survey? The nickname ‘Domesday’ may refer to the Biblical Day of Judgement, or ‘doomsday’, when Christ will return to judge the living and the dead. Just as there will be no appeal on that day against his decisions, so Domesday Book had the final word – there was to be no appeal beyond it as evidence of legal title to land. For many centuries Domesday was regarded as the authoritative register regarding rightful possession and was used mainly for that purpose.

Objectives Gain knowledge on the contents and methodology of Domesday Evaluate interpretations for its commission.

We will watch a documentary and answer the following: 1.When did William call together all the nobles of the land? 2.Why did he want everyone present? 3.What triggered Domesday’s creation? 4.Why is it called ‘The Domesday Book’? 5.How were surveyors selected? 6.What role did the legacy of Saxon government play in the Domesday survey? 7.Why did the surveyors ask about ‘the day King Edward died’? 8.How many people gave testimony to Domesday? 9.Why would landholders have been nervous about Domesday? 10.Why was there so much disputed land? 11.What does Wulfstan’s story reveal? 12.How many places does Domesday list? 13.What changes for the peasantry does Domesday reveal? 14.What changes for English landholders does Domesday reveal? 15.How many English barons were there in 1086? 16.What are the main theories which explain Domesday’s creation? 17.Which of these interpretations do you find most convincing? Why?

Explain why William ordered the survey known as the Domesday Book in (12) Jan 2011 Levels Mark Scheme Nothing written worthy of credit. 0 L1: Answers will contain either some descriptive material which is only loosely linked to the focus of the question or some explicit comment with little, if any, appropriate support. Answers are likely to be generalised and assertive. The response will be limited in development and skills of written communication will be weak. 1-2 L2: Answers will demonstrate some knowledge and understanding of the demands of the question. They will either be almost entirely descriptive with few explicit links to the question or they will provide some explanations backed by evidence that is limited in range and/or depth. Answers will be coherent but weakly expressed and/or poorly structured. 3-6 L3: Answers will demonstrate good understanding of the demands of the question providing relevant explanations backed by appropriately selected information, although this may not be full or comprehensive. Answers will, for the most part, be clearly expressed and show some organisation in the presentation of material. 7-9 L4: Answers will be well-focused, identifying a range of specific explanations, backed by precise evidence and demonstrating good understanding of the connections and links between events/issues. Answers will, for the most part, be well-written and organised