The Norman Conquest cont:
The Norman ruling class spoke French, but the marriage of the Normans with the Anglo-Saxon nobility gradually merged Anglo-Saxon and French into a new English language.
The Normans also took over existing Anglo-Saxon institutions such as the office of sheriff.
William took a census, known as the Domesday Book.
It was the first census taken in Europe since Roman times and included people, manors, and farm animals.
William also developed a full system of taxation and royal courts begun by earlier Anglo-Saxon kings.