Hatfield Broad Oak
| Hatfield Broad Oak | |
|---|---|
 The Church of St Mary the Virgin |
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 Hatfield Broad Oak
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| Hatfield Broad Oak shown within Essex | |
| Population | 1,276 (2011 Census) |
| OS grid reference | TL546166 |
| • London | 25 mi (40 km) SW |
| District | |
| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Bishop's Stortford |
| Postcode district | CM22 7 |
| Dialling code | 01279 |
| Police | Essex |
| Fire | Essex |
| Ambulance | East of England |
| EU Parliament | East of England |
| UK Parliament | |
Hatfield Broad Oak (also known as HBO or Hatfield Regis) is a village and civil parish in the Uttlesford district of Essex, England. The village is approximately 5 miles (8 km) south-east of Bishop's Stortford. Near the church of St Mary the Virgin is former Benedictine priory Hatfield Regis Priory.
Traces of Bronze Age occupation have been found in the parish, including the Portingbury Hills mound in Hatfield Forest.
The settlement of Hatfield was well established by the time of the Norman Conquest and its Domesday Book population of 115 put it as the ninth biggest settlement in Essex. At one time a royal manor of Harold I, it fell under the possession of William I. Popular for hunting in the neighbouring forest, its royal patronage led to its becoming known as Hatfield Regis, or King's Hatfield, partly to distinguish it from Hatfield Peverel, also in Essex.
By the time the priory was dissolved, the town had over 1000 residents.
The name Hatfield Broad Oak has been used since at least 1136, and the eponymous oak was mentioned in record in 1295. The forest still contains the fenced remains of a very large oak known as the "Doodle Oak", estimated as 850 years old, though it is believed to be a different tree to that which gave the parish its name. Hatfield forest, is an Ancient woodland, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a National Nature Reserve (NNR). It is now in the possession of the National Trust. The modern hedges in Hatfield Broad Oak still follow the boundaries the ancient forest following clearances known as Assarting. A phonetic version of the name might be that recorded in 1381 as "Hatfeld Broodhook"
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