How did the Normans change the Church, and what does the Domesday Book reveal about Norman England?
Norman reform of the English Church under Lanfranc, the building of cathedrals, the relationship between Church and king, the making and purpose of the Domesday Book in 1086, and what it shows about Norman control of England.
A focused answer to the Norman Church and the Domesday Book in OCR's Norman Conquest depth study, covering Lanfranc's reform of the English Church, the building of Norman cathedrals, Church and royal power, and the making, purpose and significance of the Domesday Book of 1086.
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What this dot point is asking
This dot point covers two ways the Normans tightened their grip: reforming the Church and surveying the kingdom in the Domesday Book. You need to explain how William and Lanfranc reshaped the English Church, how Church and Crown worked together, and why the Domesday Book was made in 1086 and what it reveals. Domesday is a favourite of the source and interpretation questions because its purpose is debated.
Reforming the Church
Cathedrals and Church power
Church and king
The Domesday Book, 1085 to 1086
Why was Domesday made?
Try this
Q1. Who did William make Archbishop of Canterbury in 1070? [Knowledge recall]
- Cue. Lanfranc, the reforming Italian monk.
Q2. Explain one reason, besides tax, why William ordered the Domesday Book. [Short explanation]
- Cue. For example, to confirm who held each piece of land after the upheaval of conquest (and therefore who owed feudal service), to settle land disputes, or to display his total control over the conquered kingdom.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of OCR exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
OCR SHP 20184 marksDescribe two features of the Domesday Book.Show worked answer →
The British depth study opener (4 marks, two features, 2 marks each). Reward two distinct, developed features.
Feature one. It was a vast survey of England, ordered by William in 1085 and largely completed in 1086, recording who held each piece of land, how much it was worth and what resources (people, livestock, mills) it contained.
Feature two. Royal commissioners gathered the information shire by shire under oath from local juries, making it a detailed and systematic record that allowed the king to assess wealth and tax across the whole kingdom.
Top marks. Two separate features, each with a precise supporting detail.
OCR SHP 202116 marks'The main purpose of the Domesday Book was to raise more money in tax.' How far do you agree with this statement?Show worked answer →
The extended judgement question (16 marks; the SPaG marks sit on the thematic study, not here). Argue both sides with precise support and judge.
For tax. The survey recorded land, value and resources in detail, exactly what was needed to assess and collect the geld more effectively, so raising money was clearly a major purpose.
Other purposes. It also let William settle land disputes after the upheaval of conquest, confirm who held what (and thus who owed feudal service), and display royal power and control over the conquered kingdom.
Judgement. Weigh the tax purpose against the others. A strong answer argues money was central but that confirming landholding, settling disputes and asserting control mattered too, and reaches a supported conclusion.
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