What will the French add to the English? The most important addition (or rather modification) of the Norman invasion to English society was The System of Government: the Feudal System William organized the government of England on the feudal system that had been so successful in Normandy It was based on ownership of land William took the land away from its English owners and divided it among his Norman lords The Feudal System during the Norman Period: Everybody serves the king The basic chain of feudalism was as follows: 1. God > represented by the church 2. Kings > owns all the land 3. Nobles (Barons, Bishops, etc.) > granted land only to be used in return for acceptance to the king’s rule 4. Knights, the military elites > did not own land, also granted use for services 5. Freemen > craftsmen and merchants and Yeomen > small landholders 6. Serfs or peasants > who did not own land, stayed on the land, dependant on their master Other achievements? The Domesday Book: First National Archive Within twenty years of the conquest, William’s officials conducted an inquiry/survey into the wealth of the country in order to have an accurate basis for tax assessment. The Domesday Book was completed in 1086 Other achievements? Central Administration He imposed a unified legal system, the common law. Everyone answers to the law. He devised the tax collectors, the shire reeves (sheriffs) who were checked and, if found to be corrupt, sacked.