The Sign
There are two identical signs in Bungay at either end of the town. The sign shows Bungay Castles as it may have been in its heyday, built by Roger Bigod of Norfolk, around 1100. 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. The sign was designed by Hugh Braun and the original erected in 1970, presented to the town by the Round Table.

The Name and Population
It was called Bongeia/Bung- and Burghea in the Domesday Book of 1086. The name possibly means "The island of Buna's people. Alternatively perhaps bung island, an allusion to the settlement's position at the neck of a loop of the Waveney, coming from Old English. The population was 5,127 at the 2011 census.

Other Points of Interest

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.

Bungay has two Anglican churches, one with a round tower dedicated to Holy Trinity, the other one a part ruined priory church dedicated to St Mary. The Catholic church is dedicated to St Edmund.