In what year did William require all men to swear loyalty prior to a possible Viking attack?

In what year did William require all men to swear loyalty prior to a possible Viking attack?

• A. 1066
• B. 1086
• C. 1079
• D. 1050

Answer: (B)

After the Norman Conquest, William worked to bind his new realm together and be ready for external threats, including possible Viking raids. He did this by centralizing authority and demanding loyalty across the land, while also compiling the Domesday Book to know what resources were available for defense and taxation. The year 1086 marks the completion of that survey and the widespread oath-taking that tied free men to William, ensuring he could mobilize quickly if a Viking attack materialized. This combination of assessing resources and securing pledges of loyalty is why that year is the best fit. Earlier dates relate more to conquest events or occur before the consolidation was fully in place, while later dates don’t align with the same simultaneous move to require loyalty in facing an external threat.

After the Norman Conquest, William worked to bind his new realm together and be ready for external threats, including possible Viking raids. He did this by centralizing authority and demanding loyalty across the land, while also compiling the Domesday Book to know what resources were available for defense and taxation. The year 1086 marks the completion of that survey and the widespread oath-taking that tied free men to William, ensuring he could mobilize quickly if a Viking attack materialized. This combination of assessing resources and securing pledges of loyalty is why that year is the best fit. Earlier dates relate more to conquest events or occur before the consolidation was fully in place, while later dates don’t align with the same simultaneous move to require loyalty in facing an external threat.