[2][3] High Easter developed as a linear settlement to the west of the parish church and was known as 'High Estra' before the Norman Conquest.

[4] The manor house was today's Grade II* listed 'High Easterbury', dating to the 13th century,[5] which is situated to the southwest of the parish church of St Mary.

Parish land of 4,826 acres (19.5 km2) was of clay soil and grew chiefly wheat, beans and barley, and supported a population of 690 in 1891.

The church incumbency, vicarage, residence and glebe (land used for the support of a parish priest), was in the gift of the Bishop of London.

Parish occupations in 1895 included a tailor & draper, a blacksmith, two wheelwrights, one of whom was also a carrier, two grocers, one of whom was also a draper and an agent for W. A. Gilbey wine and spirit merchants, a saddler & harness maker, a beer retailer, a shoe maker, a miller using wind and steam, eight farmers, two of whom were landowners and one a carrier, two licensed victuallers of public houses, and two farm bailiffs.

[8] St Mary's Parish Church on The Street in High Easter village is Grade I listed and dates in part to the 12th century.