In England, which figure took possession of all properties in the name of the king upon invasion?

• A. Harold II
• B. William the Conqueror
• C. Edward I
• D. Stephen

Answer: (B)

In medieval England, land was ultimately held by the king, with the crown owning the lands and granting them to tenants. The conqueror who becomes king takes possession of those lands in the crown’s name and can redistribute them to supporters. William the Conqueror invaded England in 1066, defeated Harold II, and then became king. He asserted control over all properties as the crown’s representative and redistributed lands to his Norman followers, establishing the feudal system that followed. The other figures were either not invaders or ruled later and did not initiate this act of taking possession of lands upon invasion.