Domesday Book and Beyond

This work remains a crucial text for understanding medieval England, showcasing Maitland's insights into society, law, and governance through the lens of the Domesday Book.

In his foreword, Professor Holt revisits Domesday Book and Beyond, a significant work in medieval scholarship, evaluating its relevance in the broader spectrum of historical studies. He highlights its ongoing contribution to the discourse surrounding the Domesday Book, a topic that has engaged scholars for nearly a century. Holt poses critical questions about the book's enduring value, emphasizing that after ninety years, it remains the foremost text on English medieval history.

The book comprises three extensive essays by Maitland, who utilizes the data within the Domesday Book to dissect and reconstruct various facets of early medieval England, including its society, law, governance, and economy. The first essay delves into the societal structure of England in 1066, examining the transformations that occurred by 1086. The second essay provides a historical overview of pre-Conquest England, tracing its social and administrative frameworks back to the Anglo-Saxon era.

Maitland's third essay tackles the intricate concept of the hide, a recurrent theme in historical analysis, and scrutinizes its implications for understanding the wealth and resources of England. His approach showcases not only his clarity and insight but also a remarkable level of statistical acumen that was previously uncommon in English historical writing. The fact that Maitland's theories continue to be pivotal in ongoing scholarly debates underscores the significance of Domesday Book and Beyond in the field of history.