Owning all land allowed William to do what with land distribution?

• A. Decide who received land
• B. Prohibit taxes
• C. End all taxes
• D. Ban other claimants

Answer: (A)

Owning all land gave William the power to control who held land and on what terms. In the feudal system, land is the main source of wealth and status, and the king is the ultimate owner. By holding every parcel, William could grant pieces of land to loyal nobles in return for military service and allegiance, deciding exactly who received land and how they could use it. This centralized distribution was the mechanism he used to secure loyalty, reward supporters, and shape governance across the realm after the conquest.

Taxes and claims aren’t determined simply by owning land in this sense, so prohibiting taxes or ending them isn’t the direct result, and banning other claimants isn’t the primary effect of owning all land—the key outcome is the power to decide land recipients.