Bungay History

It is known that Bungay was a Roman settlement and important military station; many Roman artefacts have been excavated in the area. After the Roman invasion this part of the country returned to the rule of the Anglo Saxon kings until the Norman invasion.

The Bigods were an important Norman family, who had assisted William the Conqueror in his conquest of this country. In recognition of his family’s loyalty and support Roger Bigod was presented with land at Bungay and nearby Framlingham in 1103. His son was not so steadfastly loyal to the crown and when the land passed to him he consolidated a power-base and started raising armies to oppose the King.

Hugh Bigod continued to make a nuisance of himself in this fashion and in the prevailing atmosphere of treachery and skulduggery started building the keep in 1163. The estate remained in the Bigod family until the late 13th century, though the family preferred to live at Framlingham and so Bungay Castle fell into a state of disrepair. In 1987 the castle was presented to the townspeople and there is now a new visitor centre at the castle to make your trip more rewarding.