When the "Priory" was built between 1850 and l870, 41 acres were added as part of the estate. After the First World War, in 1919, Sir Thomas Neave put his estates in Essex up for sale by auction. The size of this estate was 2194 acres, which included 410 acres at Bur stead, 79 acres at Raleigh, 69 acres at Eastwood, 130 at Canvey Island and 1506 acres at Noak Hill and Harold Hill; but retaining Dagnam Park, and farm, consisting of 550 acres. This huge estate was to be sold at auction in London at Winchester House, Old Broad Street on 26th May, 1919 But tenants at Harold Hill were given the first opportunity to purchase their farms if they so wished and the majority did buy before the auction.
The farms sold by the Neaves in 1919, were purchased by the London County Council by compulsory order in 1947. They were: Brick Kiln or Hilldene, Harold Hill, Manor, Dagnam Park, Gooshays and New Hall Farms and other, mainly building land. Dagnam Park was voluntarily sold to the L.C.C. Harold Wood Farm had been bought by Romford Borough Council in 1938, it then became playing fields, which were purchased by the L.C.C. in 1947. Maylands Farm was not included in the proposed area of the housing estate and it remained farming land. It is now a golf course.
Brick Kiln or Hilldene Farm 112 acres
This farm had been in existence since the late 17th century, and appears on the map of Havering dated 1776; its name may have been derived from actual brick-kilns in use during the farm's early history, Nothing is known about its early history, or how the farm became independent of the manor of Gooshays. When the farm was purchased by Sir Richard Neave in 1849, it consisted of 63 acres and to this was added the land of Hungerdown Farm, which had been part of the manor of Gooshays, prior to 1829. The farm, as part of the Dagnam Park estates which were put up for auction in 1919 was bought by A.S, Goodwin, who renamed it Hilldene Farm, The tenants under the Neaves were Messrs. J. Quilter and C. Brooks; the yearly rent was £145. The farm was passed by Mr. Goodwin to his two nephews, who farmed under the style "Goodwin Brothers". This partnership was dissolved after a few years and the farm was sold to a Mr. Goodchild, but Mr. S.J, Goodwill stayed on as tenant until 1949, although the farm was purchased by the London County Council in 1947.
The neighbouring farm to the east was;
Harold Hill Farm, 137 acres
This farm was created by the Neaves after the purchase of the manor of Gooshays in 1829; and was formed by the merger of Payne's Farm and other smallholdings. The farmhouse for the new farm was previously that of Payne's Farm, for the houses for both farms lay in the same position in Harold Hill. This farm was also sold by the Neaves in 1919; the tenant at that time was Mr. C. Brooks, the yearly rent was £193. The farm may have been bought by a Mr. Craig in that year. The owner, when Harold Hill Farm was compulsorily purchased by the London County Council, was Mr. J.K. Corbett; who also owned "The Warrens" which lay near the "Plough" and Gallows Corner, and this house was also purchased by the L.C.C.
The neighbouring farm to the east was:
Manor Farm, 77 acres
This farm was created out of the original lands of the manor of Gooshays. Its age or its history before 1919 is not known, although it probably came into existence before 1846. In 1919, when sold, the tenants were Mr. C. Brooks and Mr. E.W. Padfield, who paid a combined rent of £129. The name of the purchaser is not known. The farm is still in use today, but the farmer is a tenant of the L.C.C. and it is Green Belt land.
The neighbouring farm to the south was:
This farm was originally part of the manor of Dagenhams, and its farmhouse part of the original Mansion or Manor House. The manor of Gooshays after the sale of 1754, was split into several small-holdings and farms. Its acreage had shrunk since 1820, when it consisted of 287 acres, according to a newspaper advertisement of that year for sale of the lease. The farm was then known as "Great Gooses", the manor of Gooshays was purchased by the Neaves in 1829 from William Sheldon the younger, which included Gooshays farm. The Watts had been tenants since 1908. In 1919, the tenants were Messrs. R. & H. Watt who paid an annual rent of £510; they subsequently brought the farm from the Neaves in that year. Some years later Mr. R. Watt sold the farm to Mr. J. Mallison of New Hall, The farm was compulsorily purchased by the L.C.C. in 1947.
The neighbouring farm to the west was:
This farm was also originally part of the manor of Gooshays, The name New Hall is medieval in derivation and as the farm is the oldest on Harold Hill, first mentioned l46l, it was probably named after the first farm house or hall to be built, therefore, the New Hall. When the manor was sold in 1829, the farm was a part of Gooshays Manor, as well as Pinchbeck smallholding, which adjoined New Hall. In 1919, the tenants were Mr. and Mrs. J. Mallison who had received the tenancy in 1913. The annual rent was £222. They also bought the farm from the Neaves in that year. The farm was compulsorily purchased by the L.C.C. in 1947.
The neighbouring farm to the west was:
Harold Wood Farm, 50 acres
This farm was in existence in the early 19th century and probably earlier. In l846, it was the property of the Rev. G. Claydon. Some years after his death, the farm was purchased by Sir Arundel Neave from the Trustees of the estate of the Rev. Claydon. In 1919, the tenant was A.W. Sexton who paid an annual rent of £77; he purchased the farm in the same year. Romford Borough Council bought the farm in 1938, which was subsequently turned into playing fields and acquired by the L.C.C. in 1947.
There were two other smallholdings, or they may have been one farm. They were owned by Mr. J.R. Corbett of the Warrens which was near Harold Wood Hall and the Brentwood Road; he also owned Harold Hill Farm.
Dagnam Park Farm. 170 acres
This farm was probably created by either Sir Richard or Sir Thomas Neave between 1776-1848, for it is entered in the Rate book for that year. It included the old farm of Cockerells - the farmhouse that was in existence before 1610, lay just south of the Cockerell's moat - and was probably part of Maylands. The farm was part of the Dagnam Park Estates that were not sold in 1919, and was included in the 550 acres purchased by the L.C.C. in 1947. The tenant was Mr. Padfield. This farm included Hatters Wood, which was on its west side and was in existence with that name as early as 1293, although it was probably bigger at that time.
Maylands Farm, 247 acres.
Maylands is one of the oldest place names on Harold Hill; it was called Mellonde in 1420 and Maylonds 1524. Two fields by the Brentwood Road called Little and Great Dellams were known in the Middle Ages as Delle by Dellebrigg (Putwell Bridge) and were held of William de Dakenham by John de Dover in 1354. Maylands was part of the manor of Dagenhams as early as the 13th century, although it was let out on lease. Circa 1610, it was leased to John Wright of Wright's Bridge, by Thomas Legatt III. In 1919, the tenant was Mr. G. Gotheridge and the annual rent £262, He also purchased the farm in the same year. During the 1930s, a civil aerodrome was built on the farm, which was run by a Mr. Hillman, who organised aeroplane flights at 5s. a time; he also ran Hillman Coaches. After the war, the farm was not acquired by the L.C.C. because it was outside the area of the housing estate. Today Maylands is a Golf Course.
Romford Common
The commons in the Liberty of Havering were mainly descended from woods. In the survey of the manor, taken in 1307, it was declared that outside Havering Park there were three "foreign woods" Westwode, Haroldswode and Crocleph. The tenants could turn their beasts and cattle in there all the year round, except between Michaelmas and Martinmas, (29th September to 11th November) and then only swine; horses all the year round. This shows that the woods, during the 13th and 14th centuries were not dense. The continuous tree felling increased the total amount of grazing, although there were still many trees, especially oaks. Acorns were bad for cattle, but not for pigs, hence the restriction during the autumn.
In 1617, when challenged by James I to prove title to their lands, Peter Humble, John Wright and others said that they knew that the manor included these three woods, Westwode, or Lowe Wood, Harold's Woods and Havering Wood, which they conceive to be Crocleph, (this name had clearly died out). West Wood clearly became Collier Row Common. Whilst the location of Harold's Wood is not precisely known, it may have been at Havering, which was much more wooded in those days or, judging by the way in which woods were replaced by commons, it may have been at Havering Plain, to the north west of Noak Hill; instead of its traditional location at Romford or Harold's Wood Common.
A map of 1772, shows Romford or Harold's Wood Common ran from Gallows Corner northwards reaching only about a hundred yards east from the present Straight Road, but running very much farther to the west, including all the Heaton Grange estate. To the north as Broxhill Common, it reached Pyrgo Lodge; it ran on both sides of Noak Hill Road (which was then only a rough track) to near the "Bear". From this Noak Hill Common ran north, with Havering Plain beyond it. There were also several isolated patches, and a large amount of roadside wastes
Romford or Harold's Wood Common during the l8th century was a lonely, desolate wasteland, deserted except for footpaths and highway- men, travellers and stagecoaches were frequently robbed. A favourite spot for waylaying coaches was Gallows Corner, at the junction of Che1msford-London Road, then a lonely country crossroads. There were frequent notices in the newspapers at the time of robberies:
1769.
"Thursday morning last, about seven o'clock, the Norwich Post-coach was stopped near Rumford Gallows, by a young highwayman extremely well mounted, who robbed one of the inside passengers of two guineas, and the other of about thirty shillings. His hand trembled while he held the pistol, but he behaved with the greatest politeness"
The crossroads was known as Romford Gallows because the gibbet or gallows was positioned there. It is thought to have been located north of the Southend Arterial Road on the grassy stretch below Masefield Crescent. Under the charter of the Liberty of Havering-atte-Bower, the Court of Quarter Sessions could try capital offences on payment to the Crown. The place of execution was then the gallows at Gallows Corner. There are several entries in the Romford Registers of burials of felons who were executed there in the l6th and 17th centuries. By 1750, executions seem to have gone out of practice; when the last execution took place is not known. Prisoners from the Liberty, convicted at Chelmsford, may also have been executed on Romford Gallows. During the latter part of the l8th century, the gallows was reported to be in a ruinous state, and was repaired in 1785. In l8l5 it is called the "old gallows", apparently disused.
During the Napoleonic Wars, the Prince Regent, later George IV, reviewed troops on Romford Common.
By 1800, enclosures of Commons were frequent. It was felt that good land was being wasted. The idea was to divide each common among those who had the right to use it. As a rule the amount of stock a man might put on the common varied according to what he could accommodate on his own land; so the idea was to divide in proportion to the extent of a man's holding. The two real objections to what was done are, (a) little provision was made for recreation grounds (b) the small holders, who probably benefited most by the commons, were really the losers, as not much ground was assigned to them, and it might not be near their houses. Little could be done with a plot of half an acre, except to sell or build on it; in either case this was no good to any successor to the small holding.
In 1811, an Act of Parliament was passed authorising the enclosure of the Commons in the Liberty, according to the usual procedure. The two Commissioners were John Trumper and Abraham Purshouse Driver, the arbitrator John Loxley. Their first meeting was held on 17th August, l8ll, when Mr. Wasey Sterry, attorney of Romford, was appointed Clerk. On 30th September, he reported that he had received over 125 claims. The earlier meetings of the Commission were held at the Court House, the rest at the "White Hart". The Commissioners' claims for compensation were sent in by practically all the owners of land or houses, stating what they held: hence in some cases we get a long list of field names. On 13th May, l8l2, 35 acres of Harold Wood Common and 25 of Collier Row Common, were sold to defray expenses. They were evidently at the best points and sold at a high price, over £60 an acre; Mr. Heaton of Bedfords, bought all the former part in five lots for £2,300. Before the actual enclosure took place, Romford or Harold Wood Common comprised 298 acres, Noak Hill Common 263, Havering Plain 255; the size of the other commons were Collier Row 266, Squirrel's Heath, Ardleigh Green with other detached pieces 95 acres - the roads, unmade, comprised about 60 acres.
Henry Walter and William Masterman were jointly accepted as contractors for making and gravelling new roads at £2 per rod. The Commissioners were empowered to take enclosed ground and widen existing roads. There is a long list of new roads, but many were simply improvements of existing ones. Gallows Lane (Straight Road) and Noak Hill Road were just rough tracks before the enclosure; they were roads that were widened and improved under the powers of the Commission. There was considerable questioning about the new road (Church Road) from the Blacksmith at Noak Hill, past the present church. Navestock people wished it to come out at "Water Hales Lane" so connecting with "White Horse" side and the heath, but Weald people wanted a way to Stapleford, not another road to Navestock, so that the original proposal, to come out at "Goathouse Wood Lane" was finally adopted.
The Crown as Lord of the Manor had one-sixteenth part of the new enclosures, which finally took place in l8l4. Mr. Heaton was awarded a good deal, besides what he bought; he built "Heaton Grange" as a model farm, which consisted of over l88 acres. In "History of Essex" by Mrs. Ogborne, she says:
"The proprietors of the allotted lands enclosed them at a considerable expense; they are now in a high state of cultivation and great crops of corn and green food for cattle have been obtained from them; many buildings have been erected and plantations made so that the improvements are almost incalculable and have caused the Liberty of Havering to assume an entirely new character".
Although most of Romford Common was enclosed, some sections remained public land and are in existence today, Broxhill and Noak Hill Commons. Before 1920, Gallows Corner (during this period the crossroads was known simply as "Gallows"), at the junction of Gallows Lane and the London-Chelmsford Road was a quiet country crossroads; the only vehicles to use the roads were farm carts, gigs, horse riders and the occasional motorcar. The Southend-Arterial Road was built between 1921-25; and Prince William opened the road on Wednesday, 25th March 1925. The actual ceremony was carried out at Harold Wood Railway Bridge just beyond Gallows Corner. With the opening of the new road the rural character of Gallows Corner disappeared; the old lane from Noak Hill was widened and resurfaced, and the name changed from Gallows Lane to Straight Road. After 1920, the number of houses built on both sides of Straight Road steadily increased. There were bungalows, large houses, and small market gardens. In 1936/7, Masefield Crescent and parts of Harrow Crescent were built.
These were the only suburban roads on the estate before 1947, although practically all properties on the east side of Straight Road were affected by the compulsory purchase order of 1947, the west side was not. The Heaton Grange farm was purchased by the Romford Borough Council in the 1950s, on which site were built council houses.
Harold Hill Housing Estate
The recommendation that a housing estate be built at Dagnam Park, which was to be one of several estates to house the overspill population of London, was first made in a report, The Greater London Plan, 1944 written by Professor Patrick Abercrombie on behalf of the Standing Conference of London Regional Planning. The report was published December 1944.
Possibly one of the reasons why Professor Abercrombie selected Dagnam Park was for its well-defined geographical boundaries, which were Noak Hill Road and Brentwood Road in the north and south, Straight Road in the west and Payne's brook, which was to be the limit of the estate in the east. These geographical boundaries would give the new estate a distinct identity of its own. In no way would the estate merge indecisively with other areas in Romford.
Actual planning by the London County Council on building the estate began in 1945-46. The conception was to build a housing estate that would be entirely new in planning design. In 1947, Dagnam Park was announced as a ‘new style suburb'. There were to be three separate neighbourhood units, each with its own shopping centre and communal services. The aim was to avoid monotony using all possible features of the existing landscape, including trees and grasslands, which were to be preserved as playgrounds for children when the roads and houses were built. On a larger scale the woodlands and meadows near and around Dagnam Park, which also were to be preserved intact, would still remain Green Belt land and become public parks and recreation grounds. The estate would also provide housing for all ranges of income.
Local residents read about the proposed new estate to be sited at Dagnam Park, in the Romford Times dated 19th September 1945. There was uproar at the news especially from the members of the Romford Borough Council, who were furious with the paper for breaking the story when they were on the verge of talks with the London County Council about the proposals. Landowners, farmers and householders were alarmed and agitated; and so were many other pressure groups in surrounding areas - the Ratepayers Association and others.
During 1946-47, the London County Council engaged in negotiations to purchase all the land at Harold Hill. The main landowner, Sir Arundel Neave was willing to sell the Mansion and lands of Dagnam Park, which consisted of 550 acres, but the majority of farmers and other landowners including house owners were opposed to a voluntary sale of their property. Many had owned or rented farms during the previous fifty years whilst others had taken years to build up businesses. Because of these different vested interests, the County Council were forced to use compulsory purchase powers. The act of Parliament, The Acquisition of Land (Authorisation Procedure) Act, 1946, under which these powers were derived, had only just become law, and there were other acts, which the County Council could use.
The resulting Public Enquiry was held at Romford Town Hall, in January 1947, the main objections to compulsory land acquisition came from landowners and farmers at Harold Hill. Mr. J.R. Corbett, owner of Harold Hill Farm and the Warrens' stated that he would have great difficulty in purchasing new farming lands, as the London County Council would only pay 1939 prices for his property, and land values had increased rapidly during the eight years from 1939 to 1947. The objection from the Ratepayers' Association was that the Romford Borough Council rate -1s 5d. in the pound was insufficient to provide the necessary welfare and social services at the new estate, and the rates would have to be increased. Owners of houses and small businesses at Straight Road and elsewhere at Harold Hill made their varying objections. Finally, Romford Borough Council through their representative stated that they were not opposed to the estate because it would benefit the community as a whole although they wished to formally object to the lack of consultation with them by the London County Council. The verdict of the enquiry was in favour of the London County Council, and the compulsory purchase powers were granted. Formal notices that the orders would be served and were available for inspection were advertised in the local papers during September 1947.
The London County Council came into possession of the land early in 1948. The first houses to be erected were 500 temporary homes -prefabs- in Magnolia Close, etc. in July 1948. The actual building of the permanent houses began later in 1948 and was completed in 1958, at a cost of about l4 million pounds.
Originally, the estate was to be known as Dagnam Park, but it was felt that there would be confusion with the other L.C.C. estate at Dagenham, so it was decided to call it Harold Hill. This name was more suitable because of the close proximity of the estate to Harold Wood, and the historical links with the original King Harold, a farm named Harold Hill was already located in the area.
A circular was issued by the London County Council, Housing Department in 1964/5 with information and facts about the estate, which is paraphrased here:
The gross area of the estate is 1,386.8 acres, which has been allocated as follows: Green belt and woodlands 367 acres; recreation grounds, public parks etc. 156.8; road widening 15.1; industry 8l.4 schools 121.6; other uses 96; net housing land 548.9 acres; density net housing land 13 houses per acre. Sites for eleven schools were provided; the actual construction of the schools was by the Essex Education Committee, Essex County Council, but there are now (1969) 17 primary (infant and junior), 4 secondary schools including Harold Hill Grammar School and one special school.
The main industrial estate is in the southwest corner of Harold Hill and is sited away from the central residential area; one other advantage of a separate site is that industrial traffic need not pass through the residential areas. There are 25 small factories, making products ranging from clothing to furniture, but the majority of firms are engaged in engineering and other industrial products.
The main shopping centre is at Hilldene Avenue, with three others at Petersfield Avenue, Whitchurch Road and Cambourne Avenue, Harold Hill Community Centre is located at Gooshays Drive. There were also nine sites provided for public houses.
The estate contains 8,200 houses, flats, maisonettes and bungalows. It is roughly divided into two neighbourhood units with a combined population of 29,000-30,000, shopping centres and sites for community buildings etc. are provided for each area. Three storey blocks of flats and old people's dwellings are grouped around these central areas. The main town centre is located in conjunction with the western neighbourhood centre. In the northeastern area higher rent houses, suitable for members of the professional and managerial classes, have been built near the green belt zone. High land is used for the siting of three-storied flats ensuring a good view over open ground for these dwellings and at the same time providing an interesting skyline.
The construction of the roads and sewers for the whole estate together with over 6,000 dwellings of traditional brick and nofines constructions was entrusted to W & C, French Ltd, under a "value-cost" form of contract. In addition, a number of firm price contracts for the erection of traditional dwellings and permanent prefabricated houses, such as Wales, Orlit, Stent, Cornish unit and Scottwood, were let. Work on the roads and sewers commenced in August 1947, and over 40 miles of sewers and nearly 30 miles of carriageway have been completed.
In addition to the permanent houses there were 605 temporary homes erected (pre-fabs) which were completed in 1948. The houses are now in the process of being demolished and permanent homes erected in their place, 77.8 acres were used to build the pre-fabs.
Other services
Gas:
The gas supply comes from the Romford Gas Works.
Water:
The drinking water is supplied from Heaton Grange reservoir to houses in the low lying areas of the estate; for houses on the higher ground the supply comes from Bedford Park Reservoir, the higher ground in this case is over 150' above sea level.
Electricity:
Electricity comes from the primary 33,000 volt sub-stations at Gallows Comer and at Noak Hill, which are connected to the National Grid system.
The principle power stations in southeast Essex are at Barking, Thurrock, Tilbury and the nuclear power station at Bradwell.
The Church
During the middle ages, the manor Havering, including Romford and Harold Hill, came under the civil and ecclesiastical parish of Hornchurch. The priory of Hornchurch was then the parish church, which at first, possessed the only burial ground in the manor,
The Patron of the living was the Priory and Hospital of Montjoux, in Savoy, (Southern France), to whom all religious dues were paid -tithes, oblations, etc. The Hospital held the Priory of Hornchurch, the living and 25 librates of land in Havering under a charter granted to them by Henry II in 1158. The charter was confirmed by subsequent kings up to Richard II. In 1274, Queen Eleanor, the widow of Henry III, who then held the manor, made an agreement with the Master of Hornchurch Priory to provide a chapel of ease at Havering. It was agreed that in return for remitting 46s, yearly rent on lands in Havering, the master would appoint a chaplain and pay him an allowance. There was a chapel in Havering but it formed part of the Royal manor house.
It was not until 1323 that a chapel of ease was erected at Romford. By this time Romford had become a prosperous town, with a weekly fair and market, permission for which had been granted by King Henry III, in 1247. The site of this chapel is now known as Oldchurch.
The site of the old chapel at Romford having been badly chosen because the position of the town had been moved half-a-mile nearer the main road, permission was granted by Henry IV, in l4l0, to erect a new church. The cost of building was shared between the inhabitants, and the Warden and Fellows of New College, Oxford, the new owners of the living of Hornchurch. The college reserved for themselves all tithes, oblations and other profits belonging to the mother church at Hornchurch. A licence was also granted by the college for a cemetery and sepulchre to be attached to the new church; this grant was confirmed by Pope Alexander V. The vicar of Hornchurch had the right to appoint the chaplain at Romford.
During the great Schism or split in the Papacy, foreign priories were forced to sell their possessions in England. William of Wyckham purchased from the Hospital of Montjoux all their property in Havering as an endowment for his New College, Oxford; they still own the living of Hornchurch today.
The relationship between New College, Hornchurch and the chapels of Romford and Havering varied during the latter middle ages. Copies of agreements in the possession of the college made between them and successive vicars of Hornchurch show that the chapels, at first, were largely independent of Hornchurch, all tithes, etc. belonging to the two chapels were to be paid to them except those due on the days of the feast, and dedication of the Church at Hornchurch. Later, the position was reversed, the chapels lost their independence and all religious dues were than paid to the vicar of Hornchurch.
During the 17th and l8th centuries, Romford, because of its size and importance, its possession of the only cemetery, other than Hornchurch, gained control of outlying wards, Collier Row, Harold Wood and Noak Hill (there were seven wards in the Hornchurch parish; Romford Town, Havering, Collier Row, Harold Wood and Noak Hill were the northern wards). Romford also tried to take control of Havering, but this was fiercely contested and there was constant dissension between the two chapels. To the people of Romford their chapel was the only chapel in the five northern wards. The main arguments between them, with Noak Hill joining in because that ward preferred to side with Havering, were: should the people of Havering pay a rate towards the upkeep of the Romford Chapel as well as their own; did Havering belong to Romford; should Romford elect the church-wardens for Havering? However, independence from Romford grew. The first burial at Havering was recorded l660.
Under the Commonwealth, a survey was made of Essex, to explore and recommend the creation of new parishes. In l657, a bill was passed through Parliament to divide the parish of Hornchurch; under this bill, Romford and Havering were to become new parishes. However, the bill was ordered to be engrossed no action seems to have been taken.
The reaction to Romford's insistence that a rate be paid for the maintenance of their chapel became widespread throughout Havering, Noak Hill and parts of the Harold Wood wards. Eventually there was a general refusal to pay the rate, especially by the leading men of those wards. The Archdeacon's records of the late 17th and early l8th centuries show the extent of this revolt.
The situation was finally resolved in 1786 when Romford was made a civil parish under the Poor Law legislation of the period, with responsibility for Harold Wood, Collier Row and Noak Hill wards, but for ecclesiastical purposes there was only one parish - Hornchurch. Havering became a civil parish in 1790 and a separate ecclesiastical parish about 1836, whilst Romford became an ecclesiastical parish in 1840, with responsibility for the wards of Collier Row, Harold Wood and Noak Hill with Romford Town Ward.
After the rivalries of the l8th century had been resolved, energies were spent on church building; the first of the churches to be built was St. Thomas' at Noak Hill, in l842. The church of St. Edwards in Romford was completed in 1850, whilst St. John's was built in 1876. Noak Hill was declared a Civil Parish in 1895, although still under the ecclesiastical control of Romford, as it is today. In 1937 Harold Hill became an ecclesiastical district within the parish of Romford. After the building of the Harold Hill housing estate, the area was split into two parishes, with Gooshays Drive and North Hill Drive the boundary. They are St. Paul's on the western side with St. George on the east.
The Liberty of Havering-atte-Bower
During the middle ages and up to 1892, the people of Havering manor enjoyed privileges, and a greater freedom not known elsewhere in the county of Essex. These privileges were given to the people by a charter, known as the Liberty of Havering-atte-Bower, granted by King Edward IV, in 1465. The charter made the manor nearly independent of Essex, and was confirmed by subsequent kings up to Charles II. Havering-atte-Bower had been known as a Liberty since at least l4l9, when it was mentioned in the Patent Rolls. The manor was part of the king's ancient demesne; and had been so from the Norman Conquest when William the Conqueror took over the royal property from Edward the Confessor. The privileges that the tenants enjoyed under kings before Edward IV had been largely unwritten and not valid in law. The charter was issued because of interference in the manor by the Sheriff of Essex and other public officials.
The tenants and villeins, unlike other subjects within the kingdom enjoyed a close and very personal relationship with the king; the only intermediary between them was the High Steward of the manor. Because of this close contact with the king, the villeins were much freer than elsewhere; they were protected by special writs and largely exempted from public burdens. The charter extended the range of the manorial courts and declared exemption from others.
The main clauses of the charter are summarised thus:
The Lordship or Manor of Havering-atte-Bower is ancient demesne of the Crown of England. All actions arising within the manor are, and have been, pleadable in its court before the Steward and suitor of the manor. The tenants and inhabitants now complain that they are forced to attend other courts. It is therefore, granted by this charter that they shall not be compelled or forced or bound to answer before any other justices, judges or commissioners, but only in the court of the said manor. The Steward and suitors of the manor are to have full power and authority to hear and determine pleas, debts, accounts, covenants, trespasses; and the Sheriff of Essex is not to come into this court.
The Steward of the manor and one of the... . tenants or inhabitants are to be Justices of the Peace, to try all felons, trespasses and other unlawful acts... But they must not try any treason or felony without the King's special mandate. Justices for the county must not interfere within the manor or Lordship...'
Mary and Elizabeth added extra clauses. The main one being: the deputy Steward also to be a Justice of the Peace with the High Steward and the other justice chosen by the inhabitants of the manor Henry VII issued a mandate to sheriffs and others to exempt the tenants of the manor from toll throughout the country.
The manor or Liberty had the following courts:
Quarter and Petty Sessions
During the l6th and 17th centuries the Justices could try capital cases on payment of 6s.8d, to the Crown; and several convicted felons were executed on the gallows at Gallows Corner. The gibbet was still in existence in l8l5.
The court was more concerned with administrative business than actual trial proceedings.
Court Leet
This court met annually on Whit Tuesday, the main points dealt with were encroachment on the common lands of the manor; repair of roads; and appointment of manorial officers for the following year. These officers were: the High Bailiff, the Coroner, The Clerk of the Market, and the High Constable and nine petty constables, one for each ward.
Court of the Ancient Demesne
This was the ancient manorial court. It sat each third Thursday, presided over by the High Steward and the suitors of the manor as specified in the charter. It dealt with plaints, debts, accounts, covenants, trespasses and recorded transfers of land. Judgements could be levied on lands, goods, etc,
Inhabitants of the manor were toll free in any City, Borough, Town, Fair, Market or any other place whatsoever. A stamped docquet could be obtained on application to the court of Ancient Demesne,
Although the manor or Lordship belonged to the Crown, it could be leased out to private individuals; the lease gave the right to appoint the High Steward and his deputy. Sir Thomas Neave leased the manor in 1821, appointing his son, Digby Neave, of Dagnam Park, to the office of High Steward.
The manor was sold in l828; the purchaser, Mr. Hugh McIntosh, who then became the Lord of the Manor in place of the King, now had the right to elect the High Steward and his Deputy.
During the late l8th century the Liberty institutions were slowly falling into disuse. The legislation of the 19th century accelerated the process; the establishment of the County Police; (Romford being included in a district based in Brentwood;) the County courts, which practically ended the Court of Ancient Demesne. The final blow to the liberty was the passing of the Local Government Act of 1888, which removed all financial aid administrative business to the County Council. The only right that remained was to hold Quarter Sessions for the trial of criminals. In 1892, an order in Council dissolved the Liberty, The main reasons being the antiquated institutions of the Liberty and their obsolescence in a modern age.
