The Domesday Book assessed the value of Hatfield Broad Oak, then Hatfield Regis, as £85, this value was the sixth highest in the county. It was only in the early 1500s that the size of Chelmsford overtook the village. Much of this important, early history of the village is retained and is still displayed to the visitor.
The powerful Alberic de Vere, a close friend of William the Conqueror, was awarded the patronage and tithes of Hatfield Regis, as well as numerous other lordships. It was Alberic’s son, also Alberic, who established the Benedictine Priory at Hatfield Regis in 1135. The Priory was built adjoining the parish church. There appears to have been great conflict between the monks and the local community. This culminated in an attack on the monks by the parishioners, led by the vicar, who ejected the monks in 1378. On appeal to the King Richard II, the monks returned but the King ordered a dividing wall to be erected between the Priory and the parish church. At the time of the Dissolution, in 1534, there were just four monks and the Prior remaining. Evidence of the influence of the de Vere family and the Priory can still be seen within the present church.
The Church Library is housed in the vestry. The library was founded in the early 1700s by the then Vicar, the Reverend George Stirling. The library contains over 300 books and only the Cathedral Library in Chelmsford is larger among church libraries in Essex. Among a number of notable books are two Bibles, a ‘Breeches’ Bible and a ‘Vinegar’ bible, the names of both deriving from inaccuracies, either deliberate or careless, appearing in the text.
We have arranged to visit Hatfield Broad Oak on Thursday, 7th June. We intend to meet at St Mary’s Church, Hatfield Broad Oak, at 7.30pm. Brian Pugh, who has recently written an excellent history of the church and village, will show us round. It is possible that we may be able to climb the tower of the church during the visit.
Rob Brooks