1086 goes all groovy
The Domesday Book is online, people!
I first saw this in the Independent, in a decent article, but would like to nitpick one thing:
It began in 1085, when William the Conqueror, then in his 20th year as King William I of England, held his annual Curia Regis or King's Court at Gloucester and announced plans for a survey of allthat was in his dominion........................
And so it goes on, omitting the fact that the main reason why Bill actually comissioned the survey. There were rumours of a Danish invasion, and William wanted to know how much he could tax his subjects. The Indie makes it sound like William summoned his court and said, "You know, I'm bored. Let's have a great survey".
Something else skipped over in the Indie (it just mentions people have to pay a "small fee") is covered with more gusto in the Grauniad:
Part of the problem is that every page you download has to be paid for by credit card - at £3.50 a pop. The Domesday Book was designed to screw the public - and, nine centuries on, we're still being screwed.
Still, it's a start.
-posted by Roy
