in the mid-12th century, and the sub-tenancy passed to the Bigod earls of Norfolk who held it as one knight's fee of the Veres. Countess Juliana's son Roger Bigod, 2nd Earl of Norfolk founded a chapel at Harwich and granted it to Colne Priory, Essex, a Vere foundation.

The original village of Dovercourt, later known as Upper Dovercourt, stands a little way inland around the parish church, dedicated to All Saints; the current building