Why Was the Domesday Book the Most Important Historical Document to Be Written?
Unravelling British history
Wiliam the Conqueror, also known as William, the Bastard, was the first Norman ruler of England. His infamous conquest of 1066 brought him a position and power that were unmatched at that time. However, his authority didn’t remain stable for long. Two decades after coming to power, his son Robert started looking for ways to overthrow his father and become the sole ruler of England. Meantime, Denmark’s King Cnut also planned to destroy the great conqueror.
Seeing the threat to his monarch looming in front of his eyes, King William gathered one of the largest and strongest armies the world had seen. Expecting a similar invasion as in 1066, he strengthened his hold over the land and the coastlines. But, still unsure of his power over the people of England, he ordered his men to conduct a nationwide survey that would hold the record of every single being in the land. And thus began the compilation of the Domesday Book.