In the early centuries after Christ, much of the southern half of England was forested and communication was by way of 'Trails' or 'Treks'; the ancient forerunners of our footpaths. These people hunted for food, and bartered with other tribes for their needs. Often they stayed for only one night and moved on. Sometimes they stayed longer and once in a while put down roots and started an agricultur
al society. In AD 601, Pope Gregory suggested that a Church should be built at the crossing of the most important routes. The routes from Brentwood to Norton Mandeville and from Dunton via Hutton Mount to Stondon Massey and High Layer cross here in Doddinghurst and a Roman Road from the Fort at Havering-ate-Bower to Chelmsford ran along the line of Church Lane outside the Church, so it is more than likely that a Church was built here in the early 7th century AD, though nothing remains today of that building. The present name of the village has developed over the years from 'Doddenhenc' in 1086 through, 'Dutinghest', 'Dutighirst, to 'Duddingeherst' in 1276. The name Doddinghurst may derive from old English words. 'Doeth' or 'Dudda' meaning 'a wiseman', and 'Hurst' meaning 'wood'. The village is mentioned in the Doomsday Book, but no returns were received from Doddinghurst, showing that no plough teams existed in the village. Doddinghurst was evidently part of the Barstable Hundred and part of the ancient forest of Essex. From Georgian times the Parish Priest of Doddinghurst lived in grand style in a three storey mansion with stables, orchards and six acres of land. This house was pulled down just after the war and the site sold for housing, now Bakers Meadow, off the Doddinghurst Road. The modern Rectory stands on Church Lane in an acre of what used to be the Old Rectory paddocks. The house next door to the Rectory, 'Glebe House' is built on part of the orchard and over the pathway from the Old Rectory to the Church, and the Ghost of a Priest can be seen going to the Church first thing in the morning and last thing at night. He's quite friendly so rumour has it!
