Focusing on Yorkshire, by far the largest English county, this book, first published in 1994, examines three of the most important themes in the period described by Sir Frank Stenton as 'the first century of English feudalism': the Norman conquest, the anarchy of Stephen's reign, and the nature of lordship and land tenure. In each case the book offers a strong challenge to dominant interpretations which will alter significantly our conception of Anglo-Norman politics and government. The first section of the book reveals that the Norman conquest of Yorkshire was a much more rapid and carefully controlled process than has been supposed; the second section examines the 'anarchy' of King Stephen's reign and its consequences; and the final section deals with lordship, one of the most significant aspects of medieval society. Offering many revisionary arguments throughout, the book will become essential reading on both 'the first century' and 'the legal framework' of English feudalism.