The two-million-word report of the survey commissioned by William the Conqueror into land-holding and worth in England and parts of Wales. Its name comes from the a reference to the final account at the Last Judgement, as it was such a complete record.
Domesday Book
Fact of the Day
Accounts from 1350 reveal that it cost 6d a day to keep a lion in the menagerie at the Tower of London, but to keep a prisoner cost only 1d.
Quote of the Day
"I love argument, I love debate. I don't expect anyone just to sit there and agree with me, that's not their job.
"
~ Margaret Thatcher
On This Day
1189 Henry II died, having just signed a peace treaty with his son Richard and finding out his other son, John, had betrayed him. The servants responsible for tending to him looted his body and left him to be found by his small retinue.
1483 Richard III was crowned king of England, having declared his nephews illegitimate.
1535 Thomas More was executed for treason on the orders of Henry VIII after refusing to take the Oath of Supremacy.
1553 Edward VI died, passing the crown to Lady Jane Grey instead of his half sisters, Mary and Elizabeth.
1685 The final battle of the Monmouth Rebellion, the Battle of Sedgemoor, was fought near Bridgwater, Somerset.
1892 Britain's first non-white MP, Dadabhai Naoraji, was elected for the Liberal Party as member for Finsbury Central.
