DOMESDAY BOOK. 
799 
Conqueror, to have this survey faithfully and impartially executed, 
it appears, from indisputable authority, that a false return was given 
in by some of the commissioners ; and that, as it is said, out of a 
pious motive. This was particularly the case with the abbey of 
Croyland in Lincolnshire, the possessions of which were greatly 
under-rated, both with regard to quantity and value. Perhaps more 
of those pious frauds were discovered, as it is said Ralph Flambard, 
minister to William Rufus, proposed the making a fresh and more 
rigorous inquisition ; but this was never executed. Notwithstanding 
this proof of its falsehood in some instances, which must throw a sus- 
picion on all others, the authority of Domesday book was never 
permitted to be called in question ; and always, when it hp4^s been 
necessary to distinguish whether lands were held in ancient demesne 
or in any other manner, recourse was had to that only, to determine 
the doubt. 
From this definitive authority, from which, as from the sentence 
pronounced at domesday, or the day of judgment, there could be no 
appeal, the name of the book is said to have been derived. But 
Stow'e assigns another reason for the appellation ; namely, that 
Domesday book is a corruption of Domes Dei book ; a title given it 
because heretofore deposited in the king’s treasury, in a place of the 
church of Westminster, or Winchester, called Domes Dei. From 
the great care formerly taken for the preservation of this survey, we 
may learn the estimation in which its importance was held. The 
dialogue de Scaccaris says, Liherille Domesday^ Sigille regis eoines 
est individuus in thesauro'^ 
Until lately it has been kept under three different locks and keys ; 
one in the custody of the treasurer, and the others in that of 
the two chamberlains of the exchequer. It is now deposited in the 
chapter-house at Westminster, where it may be consulled on paying 
to the proper officers a fee of Os. 8d. for a search, and four-pence 
per line for a transcript. 
Besides the two volumes above mentioned, there is also a third 
riiade by order of the same king; and which differs from others in 
form more than matter. There is also a fourth called Doomsday, 
which is kept in the exchequer, which, though a very large volume, is 
ofdy an abridgment of the othersi In the remembrancer’s office in 
the exchequer is kept a fifth book, likewise called Domesday, which 
is the same with the fourth book already mentioned. King Alfred 
had a roll which was called Domesday ; and the Domesday book 
made by William the Conqueror referred to the time of Edward the 
Confessor, as that of king Alfred did to the time of Ethelred. The 
fourth book of Domesday having many pictures and gilt letters in 
the beginning relating to the time of king Edward the Confessor, has 
led some to a false opinion that Domesday book was comiposed in the 
reign of king Edward. 
^ r 
Combinations of Alphabetical Chaiiacters. 
? The learned author of Bermes informs us, that to about twenty plain 
elementary sounds, we owe that variety of articulate words which 
