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Domesday Book Fact-Matching Game

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Summoning Knowledge...

About This Challenge

Domesday Book Quest is an interactive game that transports players back in time to the era of the Domesday Book, a key historical document that recorded land ownership and resources in England after the Norman conquest.

  • Explore the medieval landscape of England
  • Interact with historical figures from the Domesday period
  • Uncover hidden clues and solve puzzles to complete your quest

Game Details: Domesday Book Quest is a fact-matching game where you piece together important information fragments. Use spells for hints and extra time!

Need a Hint? View the Facts
  • The Domesday Book was commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1085.
  • It was completed in 1086.
  • The book was a survey of England's land and resources.
  • Its purpose was to determine the value of land and how it was used.
  • The survey covered 13,418 settlements across England.
  • It recorded details about landowners, tenants, and resources.
  • The book's name, Domesday, means 'Doomsday' or 'Day of Judgment' in Old English.
  • The book was written in Latin.
  • There are two versions of the Domesday Book: Great Domesday and Little Domesday.
  • Great Domesday covers most of England, while Little Domesday focuses on Essex, Norfolk, and Suffolk.
  • The book provides valuable information about the social and economic structure of medieval England.
  • It reveals the impact of the Norman Conquest on England's landownership.
  • The Domesday Book is still used by historians and researchers today.
  • It helps in understanding medieval landholding patterns and the feudal system.
  • The book also sheds light on the agricultural practices and resources of the time.
  • The survey included information on mills, fisheries, woodlands, meadows, and more.
  • The Domesday Book is held at the National Archives in Kew, London.
  • It is one of the most famous and earliest surviving public records.
  • The book consists of two volumes, written on parchment.
  • The original binding of the Domesday Book no longer survives.
  • The book's appearance is similar to a modern-day ledger or account book.
  • The handwriting in the Domesday Book is known as 'Anglo-Saxon square minuscule.'
  • The book was compiled by a team of scribes and clerks.
  • It was a monumental undertaking and took several years to complete.
  • The survey was highly detailed and aimed to be comprehensive.
  • The Domesday Book was used to assess taxes and land values.
  • It was also used to settle disputes and legal claims over land.
  • The book is a vital source for studying English genealogy and family history.
  • Domesday Book entries are organized by county, then by settlement.
  • The information in the book was gathered through in-person surveys and witness testimonies.
  • The Domesday Book is a testament to the administrative and bureaucratic capabilities of medieval England.

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