Chipping Ongar and High Ongar are not distinguished by name in the Domesday Survey. It seems clear that the church stood in the manor held by Roger from John FitzWaleran in 1086, and by Leofric before the Conquest. This was assessed at 3 virgates and had woodland for 200 pigs and 8 acres of meadow. Despite this the church was in the hands of Eustace, Count of Boulogne who was Lord of Chipping Ongar. In the early 12thc he granted the advowsons of Little Laver, Stanford Rivers and High Ongar to the Cluniac Priory of Rumilly-le-Comte. At some time between 1216 and 1227 Robert de Cern', Rector of High Ongar, obtained licence to hold an annual fair at his church.