ROYAL LIBERTY OF HAVERING

The 'Royal Liberty of Havering' was an ancient liberty whose former area now forms part of, and gives its name to, the London Borough of Havering.

Contents

History

Replacement

References

External links

History

The ancient liberty included the parishes of Romford, Hornchurch and Havering-atte-Bower.^[1] It bordered Chafford hundred to the east, Ongar hundred to the north and Becontree hundred to the west. The River Thames formed a short boundary with Kent to the south.
Its charter was issued in 1465 by King Edward IV to the area surrounding the royal manor house of Havering Palace; this event was celebrated by the issue of a copper token for currency in the late 18th century, which uniquely among the many coins of that era bears the date 1465. The charter gave residents of the area freedom from taxation, its own local magistrates and gaol, and, earlier, freedom from the service of writs by the Essex Quarter Sessions. The famous Romford Market was another privilege that was guaranteed under this arrangement. In 1831 the total population of the liberty was 6,812.

Replacement

In 1892 the Royal Liberty of Havering was dissolved by order of parliament. From 1894, under the Local Government Act 1894, the central part of the Romford parish, named ''Romford Urban'' formed the Romford Urban District while the remaining parts of the liberty went on to form part of Romford Rural District. The modern day London Borough of Havering, created in 1965, takes its name from the liberty and incorporates the original area and other territories formerly part of Chafford hundred, including North Ockendon, Rainham, Upminster and Wennington. Modern day references to the liberty include the Liberty Shopping Centre and Royal Liberty School.

References

1. Vision of Britain - Havering atte Bower Liberty

External links

★ About Havering includes details of the liberty, from Havering London Borough Council

★ 1831 A Vision of Britain - Census for the liberty