The Norman Conquest

William the Conqueror’s invasion of England in 1066 destroyed England’s links with Scandinavia, and brought the country in closer contact with the continent, in particular France. William wanted to know the exact value of the riches of England so he ordered the compilation of a survey giving him information on who owned what throughout the country, and who owed him tax and how much. This record, now named The Domesday Book, was compiled around 1086. It also noted how many farm animals, ploughs, mills and so on that each manor or village had. The Domesday Book therefore gives historians a detailed picture of what life was like in England in the eleventh century.