The nobles were at his feet, and the policy of his minister, Ranulf Flambard, loaded their estates with feudal obligations.
Each tenant was held as bound to appear if needful thrice a year at the royal court, to pay a heavy fine or rent on succession to his estate, to contribute aid in case of the king's capture in war or the knighthood of the king's eldest son or the marriage of his eldest daughter.

An heir who was still a minor passed into the king's wardship, and all profit from his lands went during the period of wardship to the king.

If the estate fell to an heiress, her hand was at the king's disposal, and was generally sold by him to the highest bidder.

These rights of "marriage" and "wardship" as well as the exaction of aids at the royal will poured wealth into the treasury while they impoverished and fettered the baronage.

A fresh source of revenue was found in the Church.