Bungay Castle
| Bungay Castle | |
|---|---|
| Suffolk, England | |
 The remains of Bungay Castle |
|
 Shown within Suffolk
|
|
| Type | Edwardian castle |
| Coordinates | grid reference TM336897 |
| Current owner |
Bungay Castle Trust |
| Open to the public |
Yes |
Bungay Castle is in the town of Bungay, Suffolk by the River Waveney.
Contents |
[edit] Details
Originally this was a Norman castle built by Roger Bigod, around 1100, which took advantage of the protection given by the curve of the River Waveney.[1] Roger's son, Hugh Bigod, was a prominent player in the civil war years of the Anarchy, and his loyalty was called into question during the early years of the reign of Henry II.[1] Henry confiscated Bungay, returning it in 1164.[1] Hugh went on to build a large square Norman keep on the site in 1165.[2] Hugh ended up on the losing side in the Revolt of 1173–1174, Bungay was besieged, mined and ultimately destroyed by royal forces.[1]
The site was subsequently restored yet again to the Bigods and was further developed in 1294 by Roger Bigod, who probably built the massive gate towers on the site.[1] Roger fell out with Edward I and after his death the castle reverted to the Crown, falling into disrepair and ruin.[1] From 1483, it was primarily owned by the Dukes of Norfolk until the 20th century.[3]
[edit] Today
Restoration work on the castle began in 1934, following work by the amateur archaeologist Leonard Cane.[3] The curtain walls and the twin towers of the gatehouse remain today, as well as a fragment of the keep. Bungay Castle was given to the town of Bungay by the Duke of Norfolk in 1987, and is now owned by the Bungay Castle Trust.[3] The castle is a Grade I listed building.[4]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e f Pettifer, p.232.
- ^ Pettifer, p.232; Bungay Castle, Gatehouse website, accessed 24 April 2011.
- ^ a b c Visiting Bungay Castle, Bungay Suffolk, accessed 24 April 2011.
- ^ Bungay Castle, Gatehouse website, accessed 24 April 2011.
[edit] Bibliography
- Pettifer, Adrian. (2002) English Castles: a Guide by Counties. Woodbridge, UK: Boydell Press. ISBN 9780851157825.
[edit] Further reading
- Fry, Plantagenet Somerset, The David & Charles Book of Castles, David & Charles, 1980. ISBN 0-7153-7976-3
