What was the purpose of reducing Saxon land control between 1065 and 1087?

• A. To reduce the chance of uprising and being taken over.
• B. To restore Saxon control over all of England.
• C. To increase the power of the church.
• D. To create a new class of nobles.

Answer: (A)

Reducing Saxon land control was a deliberate move to consolidate royal power and prevent rebellion. After the Norman Conquest, William needed to weaken any potential networks that could challenge him. By transferring land from powerful Saxon nobles to Norman followers and tying landholding to direct loyalty to the king, the monarchy limited the old power bases that could organize resistance. Castles, the feudal system, and the Domesday survey all supported tighter control, making uprisings harder to coordinate and ensuring the king could tax and govern more effectively. So the aim was to lower the risk of uprisings and being overthrown. It wasn’t about restoring Saxon control, boosting church power, or simply creating a new class of nobles.