Domesday book

1) The Ely inquiry was a census-style survey conducted by the bishop of Ely in the 11th century.

2) The Ely inquiry was ordered by the Bishop of Ely who was a reform-minded bishop.

3) He ordered it because he believed that a comprehensive survey of the resources within his bishopric would help him to more effectively manage the lands and people under his jurisdiction. The survey was also used to gather information for tax purposes and to keep track of the population and also their property in terms of land and resources.

4) The Ely inquiry was made by a team of clerks, appointed by the Bishop of Ely.The team was responsible for conducting the survey and recording the informations. The clerks would have travelled from town to town, village to village, to gather the information needed to produce a comprehensive record of the bishopric.

5) The officials who conducted the Ely inquiry would have been assisted by local residents and local leaders, who provided the information needed to produce a comprehensive and accurate record of the bishopric.

It is likely that the clerks would have worked closely with local leaders, such as lords and lords' representatives

6) Not all the inhabitants of the bishopric cooperated with the Ely inquiry.

Census-style surveys, such as the Ely inquiry, were often met with resistance from the local population, who may have been reluctant to reveal information about their lands, possessions, and resources. In some cases, local residents may have felt that the inquiry was an invasion of their privacy.

7) The Doomsday Book provides a unique glimpse into the lives of the people living in England. It also provides a detailed record of the lands, possessions, and resources of the people of England.

It gives us information about:

The agriculture: the types of crops grown, the size of land holdings, and the number of livestock.

Trade and commerce: The Doomsday Book records the location of markets, fairs, and other commercial centers.

Social structure: The Doomsday Book provides information about the social structure of the time, including the number and types of tenants, serfs, and free men.

8) They produced food through a combination of agriculture and animal husbandry.

Agriculture was the main source of food for the population, the main crops grown included wheat, barley, oats, peas, beans, and turnips.

In addition to agriculture, the people of England also produced food through animal husbandry: Sheep, cattle, pigs, and goats where kept for their meat, milk and hides.

9) Food was of vital importance in 11th century England, as it was essential for survival, played a key role in the economy, and was an important part of social and cultural life. The production and trade of food helped to shape the society and economy of the time, and played a significant role in the development of the country.

10) The Ely inquiry from the Doomsday Book provides us with valuable information about the lives of the peasants in 11th century England. The inquiry gives us a unique glimpse into the lives of the people of Ely and helps us to understand the social, economic, and cultural context in which they lived.

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