What impact did the Norman invasion have on English land laws?

The Norman invasion significantly transformed English land laws, introducing the feudal system and the concept of 'tenure'.

The Norman invasion of 1066 had a profound impact on English land laws, fundamentally altering the way land was owned and controlled. Prior to the invasion, land ownership in England was relatively straightforward. The king owned all the land and granted it to his subjects as he saw fit. However, the Normans introduced a more complex system known as feudalism, which was based on the concept of 'tenure'.

Under the feudal system, the king still owned all the land, but he granted it to his most powerful subjects, known as tenants-in-chief, in return for their loyalty and military service. These tenants-in-chief would then sublet portions of their land to lesser lords, known as sub-tenants, who would also provide military service. This created a hierarchical system of land ownership, with the king at the top, followed by the tenants-in-chief, the sub-tenants, and finally the peasants, who worked the land but did not own it.

The concept of 'tenure' was also introduced by the Normans. This meant that land was not owned outright, but held from a superior lord in return for services. This could be military service, as in the case of the tenants-in-chief and sub-tenants, or agricultural labour, as in the case of the peasants. This was a significant departure from the pre-Norman system, where land was owned outright and could be bought, sold, or inherited without restriction.

The Normans also introduced the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of land ownership in England. This was used to determine who owned what land, how much it was worth, and how much tax was owed to the king. This was a significant development, as it provided a detailed record of land ownership and value, which was crucial for the administration of the feudal system.

In conclusion, the Norman invasion had a profound impact on English land laws, introducing the feudal system and the concept of 'tenure'. This fundamentally altered the way land was owned and controlled in England, creating a hierarchical system of land ownership and introducing the concept of land being held from a superior lord in return for services.