The medieval Suffolk market town of Bungay on the River Waveney was
dominated by its castle, owned by the Bigod family, the Earls of
Norfolk, and its Benedictine priory. The town prospered through its
river trade and other local industries and was also known for the
mysterious attack by the hellhound Black Shuck on the church
congregation during a thunderstorm in 1577. The black dog was
subsequently incorporated in the town's coat of arms. Although much of
the town was destroyed in the fire of 1688, it was soon rebuilt and
became fashionable in the eighteenth century, earning the nickname of
'Little London', and further changes came to Victorian Bungay with the
growth of the printing industry in the town, which developed into the
well-known R. Clay & Sons. Although the town suffered during the
agricultural decline and loss of other industries in the early twentieth
century, it is now a thriving centre for new shops and businesses in the
area. In A-Z of Bungay author Christopher Reeve delves into the history
of the town. He highlights well-known landmarks and famous residents,
and also digs beneath the surface to uncover some of the lesser-known
facts about Bungay and its hidden places of interest. This fascinating
A-Z tour of Bungay's history is fully illustrated with photography and
will appeal to all those with an interest in this Suffolk town.
