Here are some reasons why the Doomsday Book is considered useful:
Historical Record: The Doomsday Book is a unique and invaluable historical record that provides a detailed snapshot of England and Wales in the 11th century. It contains a vast amount of information, including the names of landowners, the size and value of their estates, the number of households and plough teams, and the types of crops and livestock.
Taxation: The Doomsday Book was originally compiled for taxation purposes, and it served as the basis for the collection of taxes known as the "Geld" or "Danegeld". The information in the book allowed the Norman kings to assess the wealth and resources of their kingdom and to levy taxes accordingly.
Land Ownership: The Doomsday Book provides valuable insights into land ownership and the distribution of wealth in medieval England. It reveals the extent of royal control over the land, as well as the holdings of the major landowners, such as the church, the nobility, and the knights.
Genealogical Research: The Doomsday Book is a goldmine for genealogical research, as it contains the names of many individuals, including landowners, tenants, and other residents. It can be used to trace the lineage of families and individuals over time and to understand the social structure of medieval England.
Toponymy: The Doomsday Book contains a wealth of information about place names and settlements in England and Wales. It provides the earliest written records of many place names, and it can be used to study the origins and evolution of these names over time.
Legal and Historical Precedent: The Doomsday Book has been used as legal and historical precedent in various legal disputes and historical research. It has been cited in court cases, boundary disputes, and historical studies to establish facts and provide evidence of past events.
Overall, the Doomsday Book is a unique and valuable historical document that provides a wealth of information about medieval England and Wales. It is an essential resource for historians, genealogists, and anyone interested in the history and society of this period.