High Laver facts for kids
Quick facts for kids High Laver |
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 All Saints' Church, High Laver |
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 High Laver
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| Population | 493 (2011) |
| OS grid reference | TL526087 |
| Civil parish |
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| District | |
| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | ONGAR |
| Postcode district | CM5 |
| Dialling code | 01277 |
| Police | Essex |
| Fire | Essex |
| Ambulance | East of England |
| EU Parliament | East of England |
High Laver is a small village and civil parish located in the Epping Forest area of Essex, England. It's well-known because the famous philosopher John Locke once lived here.
Contents
A Look Back at High Laver's Past
High Laver has always been a farming village. For a long time, most of the land was used for growing crops. In 1086, there were huge fields for farming, woodlands for pigs, and meadows for animals to graze. In 1881, most men in the village worked in farming.
High Laver School's Story
High Laver school opened in 1866. It was built to teach 75 children. At one point, it became very crowded with 132 students! Today, children from High Laver usually go to Magdalen Laver school, which is west of the village.
The Otes Manor Connection
The Otes Manor estate was bought around 1614 by William Masham. It then passed to his son, Sir William Masham, 1st Baronet. The famous British thinker John Locke lived at Otes Manor from 1691 until he passed away in 1704. He was a guest of Sir Francis Masham, 3rd Baronet and his wife, Damaris Cudworth Masham, who was also a philosopher. John Locke is buried in High Laver.
In 1887, a book called the Gazetteer of the British Isles mentioned High Laver. It said that John Locke's grave was in the churchyard.
Where is High Laver?
High Laver village is about 4 miles (6.4 km) east of Harlow. It is also 1.4 miles (2.2 km) north-west of Moreton.
The land in High Laver is quite high up. It's nearly 300 feet (90 meters) above sea level in the south-west. In the north, it's about 250 feet (75 meters) high, and in the east, it's around 230 feet (70 meters).
Who Lives in High Laver?
The number of people living in High Laver has changed over time. In 1801, there were 346 people. By 1851, the population grew to 534. It then dropped to 386 by the end of the 1800s. In the first half of the 1900s, it slowly increased to 463 in 1951.
According to the 2011 census, High Laver had 493 people living in 200 homes. Out of these, 260 people aged 16 to 74 had jobs. In 1881, most men worked in farming, which was common for villages back then. The 2011 census also showed that the largest age group in High Laver is people aged 45 to 59.
Important Places to See
All Saints' Church
All Saints' Church is an old building made of flint and stone. It was built in the late 1100s. You can even see some old Roman bricks and tiles in its walls! Over the years, the church has been repaired and updated. The roofs of the main parts of the church were redone in the 1400s or 1500s. Inside the tower, there is a special font (a basin for baptisms) that is from the 1300s.
Outside the church, you can find the brick tomb of the philosopher John Locke (1632–1704). A special plaque that was once above his tomb was moved inside the church in 1932 to keep it safe.
Also in the churchyard is the grave of Abigail Masham, Baroness Masham. She was a close friend of Queen Anne and a cousin of Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough. The interesting relationships between these three women were even shown in the movie The Favourite.
Famous People from High Laver
- Samuel Masham, 1st Baron Masham (1678/79 – 1758): A British courtier who lived at Oates Manor in High Laver.
- Damaris Cudworth Masham (1659–1708): An English writer, philosopher, and theologian. She was married to Francis Masham, 3rd Baronet.
- John Locke FRS (1632–1704): A very important English philosopher and doctor. He lived with the Masham family at Oates Manor.
- Thomas Standfield (1789–1864): One of the Tolpuddle Martyrs, a group of farm workers who fought for better wages. He lived at Fenners Farm in High Laver from 1838 to 1846.
Getting Around High Laver
The main road from Ongar to Harlow, which is a key route, goes through High Laver. The village is also close to junction seven of the M11 motorway. There are three bus services that run through the village four days a week. The closest train station is Harlow Town. Epping Underground station is about the same distance away.
Images for kids
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A fingerpost (signpost) in High Laver parish.
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A map of High Laver from the 1800s.
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Faggotters Farm in High Laver.
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A sign for Faggoters Lane in High Laver.
