Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
gave them. The mottes—mounds of earth—still survive in
many places; some were incorporated into the stone castles
that replaced the original wooden baileys, or keeps.
William is also remembered for
The Domesday
(or Dooms-
day)
Book
of 1086, a survey of all his newly conquered land
and possessions. The feudal system of the time meant that
the King owned all the land but divided it between the
Church and his supporters. The Domesday survey was an
efficient way to assess the financial and military resources
available to him, as well as enabling him to levy taxes and
ensure an oath of allegiance from all landlords and tenants.
It was known as
The Domesday Book
because—like Judg-
ment Day—there was no escape from it. The original is still
kept in the National Archives, and it's been used to settle
property arguments and trace family trees for
centuries.
The Normans are also renowned for their
religious architecture, with
Ely Cathedral
in Cambridgeshire (p. 504) among the most
glorious examples of their work, although
the abbey and original church was founded
by a Saxon princess.
The French Gothic style of architecture
invaded in the late 12th century, trading
rounded arches for pointy ones—an engi-
neering discovery that freed churches from the heavy Norman walls and allowed
ceilings to soar and windows to proliferate. The style can be divided into three over-
lapping periods: Early English (1150-1300), Decorated (1250-1370), and Perpen-
dicular
(1350-1550). The best example of Early English is
Salisbury Cathedral
(p. 327). The first to use pointy arches was
Wells Cathedral
(p. 355).
2
Salisbury Cathedral
1952
Queen Elizabeth II ascends the
throne.
1992
Royals are jolted by fi re at
Windsor Castle and marital
troubles of their two sons. Britain
joins the European Single Market.
Deep recession signals the end of
the booming 1980s.
1973
Britain joins the European Union.
1979
Margaret Thatcher becomes
prime minister.
1982
Britain defeats Argentina in the
Falklands confl ict.
1994
England is linked to the Continent
by rail via the Channel Tunnel, or
Chunnel. Tony Blair elected Labour
Party leader.
1990
Thatcher is ousted; John Major
becomes prime minister.
1991
Britain fi ghts with Allies to
defeat Iraq.
1996
The IRA breaks a 17-month cease-
fi re with a truck bomb at the
Docklands that claims two lives.
Charles and Diana divorce.