Texas Surveyors Practice Exam

Which document is primarily associated with the recording of property rights during William the Conqueror's era?

1. The Domesday Book

2. The Canterbury Tales

3. The English Bill of Rights

4. The Great Charter

The correct answer is: The Domesday Book

The Domesday Book is the primary document associated with the recording of property rights during the era of William the Conqueror. Completed in 1086, this comprehensive survey was commissioned to assess the resources and land holdings within England following the Norman conquest. It served as an extensive record of land ownership, tax obligations, and the value of various properties, effectively establishing a means for the crown to exert control over resources and taxation. By documenting who held land and what resources they possessed, the Domesday Book laid the groundwork for the development of property rights in England. It was critical in the establishment of feudal systems, as it provided a clear overview of landholders and their dues, thus reflecting the power dynamics of the period. The other documents listed are significant in their own contexts but do not relate to the recording of property rights in the same manner. The Canterbury Tales is a collection of stories that reflects medieval society, the English Bill of Rights established certain liberties in 1689, and the Great Charter (Magna Carta) of 1215 addressed the relationship between the monarchy and its subjects but was not specifically focused on property rights documentation as was the Domesday Book.