Hampstead is a Pigsty...this and other fascinating insights from the Domesday Book are now available online

Residents of Hampstead might not be too pleased to learn that their exclusive London village once housed more pigs than people but this is just one of the fascinating insights to be gained from reading the Domesday Book. More than 8,500 extracts from the Domesday Book are now available to order online, either as an e-mailed digital version or a hardcopy print via the searchable web site www.domesdayextracts.co.uk -- currently the only source on the Internet.

(PRWEB) July 24, 2004 -- Residents of Hampstead might not be too pleased to learn that their exclusive London village once housed more pigs than people but this is just one of the fascinating insights to be gained from reading the Domesday Book. More than 8,500 extracts from the Domesday Book are now available to order online, either as an e-mailed digital version or a hardcopy print via the searchable web site www.domesdayextracts.co.uk -- currently the only source on the Internet.

Commissioned in 1085 by order of William The Conqueror and first published in 1086, the Domesday Book was intended as an instrument of tax collection - a hand written record indexing land and other resource ownership. As well as valuing assets, this fascinating document gives a valuable insight into land use at the time, the life of local landowners, and even disputes between neighbours.

By studying individual entries it is possible to discover that upmarket Hampstead in London had woodland containing 100 pigs and was assessed as being worth 50 shillings. Brighton residents may enjoy fishing but how many catch enough to pay their taxes? The Domesday Book reveals that one Brighton landowner did exactly that - with 4,000 herrings to be precise!

The 8,500 extracts were created by photographing every page of the historic tome with the support of the National Archives in London. A team of academics then translated and indexed the entire contents in modern English. A database of place names mentioned in the Domesday Book is now online and cross-referenced to current towns and villages. Individual locations can be found at the click of a button. This unique web site provides access to an authentic version of one of the most important historical records of this country -- previously only available to the academic community.

Domesday extracts will appeal to the amateur historian, genealogist, school history student or anybody with an interest in their local town or village. Framed prints make ideal and unique gifts.

# # #

Notes to editors

Domesdayextracts.co.uk is owned by Great Little Publishing, a small publishing company dedicated to bringing local historical documents to a wider audience. The extracts were created in conjunction with the National Archives and Alecto Historical Editions.

Each extract includes a high quality image of a specific towns or village's actual Domesday entry, a modern English translation and a 5 page glossary of terms.

Sample photography is available if required.

For more information please contact

Web: www.domesdayextracts.co.uk

E-mail: info@domesdayextracts.co.uk