The Domesday Book

The Domesday Book, comprised of “Little Domesday” and “Great Domesday,” is an extensive record of land ownership and resources in England during the 11th century. Little Domesday covers Norfolk, Suffolk, and Essex in detail, while Great Domesday covers the rest of England, excluding parts of the north and certain areas like London and Winchester. It outlines the holdings of various tenants-in-chief, including bishops, abbots, barons, and English thegns, listing manors and their demographics. The book also includes sections on principal boroughs, disputed land titles, and details about the population, mills, slaves, and customs of the time. The text reflects a heavy French influence in its orthography and language usage.