Bungay town sign

Image: © Adrian S Pye Taken: 11 Dec 2020

The sign shows Bungay Castles as it may have been in its heyday. Built by Roger Bigod of Norfolk, around 1100. Hugh Bigod, his son, went on to build a large square Norman keep on the site in 1165. During the Revolt of 1173–1174, Bungay was besieged, mined and ultimately destroyed by royal forces. The castle was restored to the Bigods and was further developed in 1294 by Roger Bigod, 5th Earl of Norfolk, who probably built the massive gate towers on the site as shown on the sign. Roger fell out of favour with King Edward I, and after Roger died the castle reverted to the Crown, falling into disrepair and ruin. The ruins are a magnet for visitors to the town. In the spandrels a depiction of Black Shuck can be seen. During a thunderstorm (hence the lightning bolts) on the 4th August 1577 he broke through the doors, ran up the aisle, past a large congregation, killing a man and boy and causing the church steeple to collapse through the roof. So it is recorded. Bungay Castle as it is now. https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1850271 https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4291538

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