A History of Havering-atte-Bower

An Engaging Journey from Prehistoric Times to the Modern

Introduction

Nestled on the edge of London’s greenbelt, is our charming village with a human story stretching back thousands of years. From ancient settlers to royal residents, and through times of change and challenge, the village has witnessed considerable history. Our History section explores Havering-atte-Bower’s fascinating past, hopefully opening eyes as to how the village became what it is today.

Click here to view the Geology of Havering Village.

Prehistoric Times: The Earliest Footprints

The history of Havering-atte-Bower would have begun long before written records, in the distant past when prehistoric people would have roamed across the land. Archaeologists have found traces of ancient tools and pottery, hinting that hunter-gatherers and early farmers once settled here[1]. The surrounding woods and fields would have been perfect for tracking animals, finding wild food, and building simple shelters. Over time, these early inhabitants started to shape the landscape. While you generally cannot see prominent, visible burial mounds or large-scale earthworks in the countryside around the village these features are probably in the subsurface, meaning that they are only detectable through LiDAR, aerial photography, or professional survey rather than as distinct physical appearance in the landscape.

Roman and Saxon Periods: New Arrivals and Old Traditions

When the Romans arrived in Britain nearly 2,000 years ago, Havering-atte-Bower’s location would have been close to the major roads and settlements. Roman coins and fragments of pottery have been discovered here, suggesting the area was part of a busy network connecting London to the rest of the empire. After the Romans left, the Saxons moved in, giving the village its name ‘Havering’[2] is thought to mean ‘settlement of the followers of Hæfer’. The Saxons built wooden homes, cleared forests, and laid the foundations for the village.

No Typical English Village

In the introduction of her comprehensive thesis on the village, Marjorie McIntosh writes the following:

“At no time during the later Middle Ages or early modern period was Havering-atte-Bower a typical English community. Although this royal manor and Liberty in Essex contained many features found in other places, new developments emerged here long before they became common elsewhere. Between 1200 and 1500, Havering’s economic and political forms grew in a precocious fashion, marked by unusual personal freedom and widespread prosperity for the tenants, considerable co-operation among them in running their community and exceptional independence from outside control. By the end of the fifteenth century, Havering displayed many patterns and attitudes which would be seen in England during the decades around 1600.” 

One must digest a whole lot more to do justice, suffice to say, the village was then ahead of its time. The following sections are an attempt to provide a flavour of historical periods through to today.

Medieval Era: A Special Royal Village Takes Shape

During the medieval period, the village gained an important national status as a royal manor. Kings and queens visited and stayed here, with the area famous for its hunting grounds and scenery. A grand Havering Palace stood at the heart of the village (probably beneath the current green and church), hosting all the monarchs but including Edward the Confessor and Elizabeth I. Local villagers worked on the estate, farming the land and tending to animals. The medieval church, St. John the Evangelist, was built to serve the growing community, and the village flourished under royal patronage. Tales of knights, feasts, and royal visits probably became part of local legend.

Tudor and Stuart Periods: Change and Continuity

In the Tudor times the village was still very much linked to royalty, but land ownership began to shift as new families moved in. The palace remained a centre of activity, although it eventually fell into disrepair. However, before that folk stories speak of colourful characters and dramatic events, such as the visit of Queen Elizabeth I, who reportedly enjoyed the village’s ‘fresh air and scenic views’. During the Stuart era, the royal manor changed hands, and the surrounding fields were used more for farming and grazing. It appears that James I was less keen on Havering Palace, having never been recorded as staying there, so it seems our royal patronage mostly ended in that era.

Georgian and Victorian Eras: Growth and Transformation

The Georgian and Victorian periods brought new developments to the village. Posh homes and cottages sprang up, reflecting the changing tastes and greater prosperity. With the construction of better roads and bridges (e.g. Abridge, Passingford) travel was made easier, and the village became more connected. Schools and shops opened, and local traditions must have flourished. The Victorian’s railways and the telegraph technology would have begun to have an influence on village life, and the population grew as more people settled in the area. The architecture from this era, with its brick and decorative details, can be seen in buildings across the village.

Early 20th Century: War, Progress, and Community Spirit

The early 20th century found the village affected by World War I and World War II, with local men and women serving in the armed forces and supporting the war effort at home. The churchyard at St John’s is a defined Commonwealth War Graves location.  There are two servicemen buried here: Thomas Simpson, a Canadian national, serving with the Royal Air Force – 54th Training Depot Station, who died locally on 19 December 2018; and Arthur Mallet, a local man serving with the Royal Air Force – Auxiliary Air Force and who, again died locally, on 16 January 1947.

The village would have come together during tough those times with records of them, holding fundraising events and looking after one another. After the wars, new technology would have further transformed daily life with widely available mains electricity, cars, and radios bringing ‘modern comforts’ to the village in the same way as for country rest of the country.

Post-War to the Twenty First Century: New Horizons

In the later part of the twentieth century, the village entered a period of significant modernisation. New homes were built to meet the needs of growing population of the area, and local school expanded to cater for more pupils. As with the rest of the country the 1960s and 1970s saw the liberal cultural changes, with music, fashion, and new ideas taking root. Whilst keeping a village atmosphere, it was adopted as part of the wider London Borough of Havering when the borough was formed on 1 April 1965. The attachment to the Greater London remains an important aspect of this ‘edge of the Borough’ semi-rural village.  We’re still benefitting greatly from the amenities of London.  For example, the TFL’s transport subsidies for young and old residents, as well as a TFL bus service, allowing those without cars, to access Romford with its Elizabeth Line station, via the shops at Collier Row. Residents continue and have recently worked to protect green spaces and historic buildings, ensuring that the village has remained a special place for future generations.

Conclusion: The Enduring Legacy

Today, our village still stands as a testament to thousands of years of history, shaped by its geology, prehistoric settlers, royal guests, and modern families. Whether you’re exploring old paths or meeting new neighbours, the village’s story is a reminder that history is alive in every corner of Havering-atte-Bower.

Some References

[1] Havering Hoard – Havering Museum

[2] There’s an urban myth floating about that Havering-atte-Bower comes from ‘Have a ring at the Bower’, incorrectly based on: The “Havering Ring” which is a fourth-century gold Roman ring, featuring the mythological figure Bellerophon on Pegasus, discovered near the village.  That Ring is currently somewhere in the British Museum.