This suggests that the manor of Havering was in royal ownership prior to 1066, although the beginning of its association with royalty is unrecorded.

The 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 manor and liberty originally comprised the large ancient parish of Hornchurch which was divided into eight wards.

By the 16th century 'Romford side' comprising the five northern wards of Romford Town, Harold Wood, Collier Row, Noak Hill, and Havering had achieved some degree of self-government.

[1] The manor was sold by the Crown on 23 September 1828 and the right to appoint the high steward and justices of the liberty was transferred to the private owners.

During the 19th century ad hoc boards, such as unions for poor law or public health, started to erode the powers of the liberty.

[1] Under the Local Government Act 1888 the property of the liberty was merged with that of the county, and the offices of high and deputy steward were no longer filled.

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, Cranham, and Wennington.

To the north of the liberty was much higher ground and the boundary with the Ongar hundred and the parishes of (west to east) Lambourne, Navestock and Stapleford Abbotts.

The western boundary was with the reduced Becontree hundred and the parish of Dagenham, partially formed by the River Beam.