Devon Domesday Book tenants-in-chief facts for kids
The Domesday Book was like a giant survey or census ordered by King William the Conqueror in 1086. After he conquered England in 1066, William wanted to know exactly who owned what land, how much it was worth, and what resources were on it. This helped him collect taxes and understand his new kingdom better. The Domesday Book lists all the important landowners in Devonshire at that time, called "tenants-in-chief." These were people or institutions who held their land directly from the King.
Contents
What Was the Domesday Book?
The Domesday Book is one of the most famous historical documents from England. It was created by King William the Conqueror. He wanted to know everything about his new kingdom. This included who owned land, how many people lived there, and what farms and resources were available. It was a huge project, taking many months to complete.
Why Was It Made?
King William had a few reasons for this massive survey. First, he wanted to make sure he was collecting the right amount of taxes. Second, he needed to know how many soldiers each area could provide if there was a war. Third, it helped him settle any arguments about land ownership. The book was so thorough that people called it "Domesday," meaning it was like a final judgment that couldn't be changed.
Who Were the Tenants-in-Chief?
In the Domesday Book, a "tenant-in-chief" was a very important person. They were the main landowners in England. These individuals or groups held their land directly from the King. They didn't own the land outright like we do today. Instead, they were "tenants" of the King. In return for their land, they promised to be loyal to him. They also had to provide soldiers and other services when the King needed them.
Different Kinds of Tenants-in-Chief
The tenants-in-chief in Devon came from different backgrounds. Some were powerful church leaders or religious institutions. Others were important nobles and knights who had helped William conquer England. There were also some of the King's own family members and even his personal servants.
Church Leaders and Abbeys
Many religious groups owned a lot of land in Devon. These included:
- Osbern FitzOsbern, who was the Bishop of Exeter.
- Geoffrey de Montbray, the Bishop of Coutances.
- Big churches and abbeys like Glastonbury Abbey, Tavistock Abbey, and Buckfast Abbey. These places were very important in society. They often ran schools and cared for the poor.
Powerful Nobles and Barons
Many of the tenants-in-chief were powerful Norman nobles. They were given large areas of land by the King. This was often a reward for their loyalty and help during the conquest. Some of these important figures in Devon included:
- Hugh d'Avranches, 1st Earl of Chester, a very powerful earl.
- Baldwin de Moels, who was the Sheriff of Devon and a feudal baron of Okehampton.
- Juhel de Totnes, another important feudal baron.
- William Cheever, who was the feudal baron of Bradninch. His brother, Ralph de Pomeroy, was also a major landowner.
- Walter of Douai, the feudal baron of Bampton.
The King's Family and Servants
Some of the land was held by people very close to the King:
- Robert, Count of Mortain, who was King William's half-brother. He was one of the wealthiest men in England.
- The Domesday Book also lists "King's Servants" and "King's Thanes". These were people who worked directly for the King. They were rewarded with land for their service.
See also
Sources
- Thorn, Caroline & Frank, (eds.) Domesday Book, (Morris, John, gen. ed.) Vol. 9, Devon, Parts 1 & 2, Phillimore Press, Chichester, 1985, part 1, List of Landholders in Devon
- Sanders, I. J. English Baronies: a Study of their Origin and Descent 1086-1327, Oxford, 1960
