Domesday Book: A Complete Translation

Rating:
Summary: For some of us, this is great bedtime reading . . .
Review: It takes a particular sort of reader to rejoice at the prospect of an all-new translation of a 900-year-old government-sponsored economic and agricultural census. I'm well acquainted with the Phillimore 35-volume edition published in the 1970s, and I own Finn's guide to it, but this new effort is a lovely piece of work -- and it's portable enough to actually carry around with you. The Alecto translation was itself based on the Victoria History of the Counties of England version, but much improved and updated. This volume also omits the marginalia, which is too bad, but it does interpolate a great many bracketed words to fill the original scribe's frequent elisions. There's also an extremely thorough Index of Places -- but not one of persons, a glaring omission, since so many larger landholders possessed estates throughout a county, or even in numerous counties. Nevertheless, an excellent publication, and at a very reasonable price.

Rating:
Summary: Fascinating Resource
Review: Most will remember hearing about the Domesday Book (usually calling it the Doomsday Book)from their grade school history lessons. Press them as to what it was and they will usually be stumped. First of all it is NOT a book for casual reading but a prime resource for scholars or those deeply interested in England during the Middle Ages.
In 1086 William the Conqueror decided to find out what exactly he owned in the England he conquered in 1066. The result was a survey of the country to find out who owned what (land, livestock, homes estates etc.)and where. It was not just to find out what he had but also, surprise surprise, to determine rates of taxation. Well when one considers that aspect the term Doomsday Book might be more accurate. So what we have in the Domesday Book is basically the wealth of England 1086 listing who owned what and how much. As a resource it is priceless. Even the ocassional dip can be of interest. The present volume is translated into modern English and includes a glossary of obscure and long out of use words. Some though are so obscure that we either do not know or are making a hopefully educated guess. So if you are deeply into Medieval England it is a fascinating and useful resource book. If you are looking for a bed time read, well it might put you to sleep but it won't be entertaining.

Rating:
Summary: A landmark work, a little on the sleepy side
Review: Simply the most boring uninteresting book ever printedInot the fault of this editor by the way, the book was a government document). Although a wonderful window into English history and our heritage of property rights this book is a terribly boring and epically vicious account of nothing, expect a recording of every minor person and land ownership in England. An important piece of western heritage but maybe not bed time reading. Five stars for translation and beauty/presentation.

Rating:
Summary: A landmark work, a little on the sleepy side
Review: Simply the most boring uninteresting book ever printedInot the fault of this editor by the way, the book was a government document). Although a wonderful window into English history and our heritage of property rights this book is a terribly boring and epically vicious account of nothing, expect a recording of every minor person and land ownership in England. An important piece of western heritage but maybe not bed time reading. Five stars for translation and beauty/presentation.