Bungay Castle & Museum

Bungay Castle

Following the Norman Conquest in 1066, the powerful Bigod family were granted lands and estates throughout Norfolk and Suffolk by the king. They made Bungay one of their main strongholds because it provided a good defensive position, a motte and bailey fortress having already been established during the Saxon occupation.

Hugh Bigod inherited the family properties in 1120, and proved to be an ambitious and charismatic personality, uniting with local barons in challenging royal authority.

King Stephen marched an army to Bungay in 1140 to quell Hugh’s military manoeuvres, but rather than punishment, Hugh was granted the title of Earl of Norfolk in return for obedience. Loyalty and submission were not Bigod characteristics, and he reacted by increasing attacks on royal properties, and building a powerful fortress in c. 1165 to cock a snook at authority. He met his match with Henry 11, a tougher leader than Stephen who prepared a military onslaught, to destroy the castle and topple Hugh from power. Forced to submit, he had all his estates confiscated and his title annulled. Although his castle was saved from destruction on payment of a huge fine, he was banished abroad to fight in the Crusades, thus terminating his career.

His son Roger regained the estates, but his descendants gradually lost interest in occupying Bungay, and apart from a brief period of re-fortification in the 1290’s, developed Framlingham Castle as their main power base.

The Howard family, Dukes of Norfolk took possession in 1483. They had little interest in the castle which gradually dwindled into decay, until partial excavations and renovations were organised in 1933. Then in 1988, the Howard family gifted it to the town with an endowment for its preservation. It is now managed by the Castle Trust for a variety of open-air activities. Access to the castle is via the courtyard and café at Bigod’s Kitchen.

Bungay Museum

The Museum was established in 1963 and occupies two small rooms in the council office in Broad Street. The collections represent Bungay history through the centuries, commencing with a fine display of archaeology specimens, including Stone Age, Roman, and Saxon artefacts found locally. There is also a small section of geology, which features items found in local gravel-pits and on Outney Common.

From the medieval period are objects found on the Castle site, including clay sherds, keys, and buckles. The coin collection covers the Roman to Victorian periods with good examples of 17th and 18th.c. Bungay trade tokens.

A display case features books printed in the town by John Childs in the early 19th.c, and describes the development of the printing industry before and after it was taken over by Clays, of London, in 1877.

Local authors, Sir Henry Rider Haggard, and his daughter Lilias, are represented, and the manuscripts of the books by Frederick Rolfe and George Baldry which Lilias edited for publication. Displays of Victorian memorabilia relate to the family of the wealthy Town Reeve, philanthropist, and diarist, John Barber Scott (1792- 1862)

PHILIP CANHAM LTD

GAS PLUMBING & HEATING INSTALLATIONS, SERVICE & REPAIR GAS SERVICING & BOILER REPAIRS GAS SAFE & CITB REGISTERED

TEL: BUNGAY 895279 MOB: 07980 521070

EMAIL: philip.canham@btinternet.com

D-Way Travel - The Right Way!

Family run business • Professional service at affordable prices • 4, 6, and 8 seater vehicles available • Leather seats • Air Con • Pre-booked taxis • Mini bus hire • Local and long distance travel • Corporate travel • School runs • Sports fixtures • Hen and stag parties • Large group bookings upon request • Fully licensed with South Norfolk District Council

01986 895375 • 07825 187488 www.dwaytravel.com

Based in Earsham BUILDING YOUR FUTURE

Specialists in: New Builds • Conversions/Restorations • Extensions • Commercial Projects Tel: 01986 893464 Email: sprakeandtyrrell@yahoo.co.uk www.sprake-and-tyrrell-ltd.com

Bungay, Suffolk Tel: 01986 892469 Mob: 07870 671060 Email: enquiries@wvbp.co.uk www.wvbp.co.uk

161975

• Various sizes available • Easy access • Flexible terms • 3 phase electric • CCTV/External alarms • Artic access • Office suites • High quality, secure storage • CCTV/External alarms • Private use • Business use • Moving house • De-cluttering • Archive filing • Secure, gated compound • 24hr CCTV/on site Manager • External alarms • Security lighting • Easy terms/ flexible access

£40 p/month

Inc VAT