This was the outcome of England's new ruler William I's desire to find out just what he had conquered in 1066. In 1086, he sent inquisitors through the shires to conduct a survey. This came to be called the Domesday Book – after the day of judgement – for it officially established who owned what (or whom) and who owed what (money or services) to whom. While not totally comprehensive (for one thing, London, Bristol and Winchester aren't included), it provides a picture of much of the country, with comparative information from the period immediately preceding the Conquest and the period during which the survey was undertaken, which allows us to see the adverse effects of the Conquest.
record of a British land survey ordered by William the Conqueror
Pronounced 'Doomsday Book'. William the Conqueror was a great organiser and established a survey of his new kingdom following his successful invasion in 1066 AD. The survey began in 1080 AD and recorded the size and value of every manor in the land. As William had ransacked most of the North-East in his Harrying of the North, most Teesside settlements are recorded as 'Waste'. Despite William's best efforts he never really took complete control of ancient Northumberland and the Tees remained a serious obstacle. For this reason settlements to the north of the river were not assessed.
also Doomesday Book] ancient record of the Grand or Great Inquest or Survey of lands in England by the order of William the Conqueror, giving a census-like description of the realm, with the names of the proprietors and the nature, extent, value, liabilities, etc. of their properties
A general survey taken in 1086 if those who owned land in England. a.k.a. the 1st English census. Remember it was only for landowners.
record of a survey ordered by William the Conqueror to determine how much wealth that was in his new kingdom, who held what land, and what land had been disputed among his vassals - it is a invaluable source of social and economic information. (p. 334)
The record of a survey of the land of England carried out by the commissioners of William I in 1086.