100 ARCHIVES

Domesday Book

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British History

Knapton in the Domesday Book (1086)

Knapton is named in the Domesday Book, compiled by Norman commissioners in 1086, entered under the hundred of Toreshou in Yorkshire. The survey assessed Knapton at 12 carucates of taxable land.

At the time of the survey, Knapton supported a recorded population of 16 villagers, 14 smallholders, 6 freemanmen, working 7 ploughs between them.

By 1086 Knapton was worth 71.05 shillings, up from 31.2 shillings before the Conquest – in contrast to many Yorkshire neighbours whose valuations collapsed.

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British History

Knaresborough in the Domesday Book (1086)

The 1086 Domesday survey records the settlement of Knaresborough, entered under the hundred of Burghshire in Yorkshire. The survey assessed Knaresborough at 10 carucates of taxable land.

At the time of the survey, Knaresborough supported a recorded population of 5 villagers, 8 smallholders, 2 slaves, 1 freeman, working 2 ploughs between them.

The drop in value is hard to miss. Before 1066, Knaresborough was worth 2.85 shillings; by 1086 that had dropped to 1.9 shillings – a fall of 33%. Most Yorkshire villages that lost value on this scale were swept up in the Harrying of the North – William’s scorched-earth campaign of 1069–70.

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