I’d bet that few people haven’t heard of the Domesday Book, the survey of England commissioned in 1085 by William I (William the Conqueror) who conquered England after the Battle of Hastings in 1066.
This publication is still used today as a source of reference in, for example, property ownership matters where the book provides historical proof of landholding.
Today, the Domesday Book goes online:
The iconic 11th Century document, which has been rebound, copied, facsimiled and even hidden in prisons, has been made available online. This latest chapter in the history of the survey of England, carried out for William the Conqueror, has been organised by the National Archives in Kew, west London, where the book has its home.
It is the oldest public record at the archives and was voted the nation’s finest treasure in 2005. All of its pages are now available to be viewed, along with a translation from the original Latin, to anyone with an internet connection.
A true delight for history scholars and, as the quote says, for anyone with an internet connection. Wherever you are.
Domesday Book | Britain’s finest treasure
Neville Hobson is the author of the popular NevilleHobson.com blog which focuses on business communication and technology.
Neville is currentlly the VP of New Marketing at Crayon. Visit Neville Hobson’s blog: NevilleHobson.com.