Shock! the Black Dog of Bungay: A Case Study in Local Folklore

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Collier, John Payne (ed.) (1841). The Mad Pranks and Merry Jests of Robin Goodfellow (reprinted from anon. 1628 ed.) London: Percy Society.

Westwood, Jennifer; Simpson, Jacqueline; Kingshill, Sophia (2008). The Penguin Book of Ghosts. Penguin Books. Barrett, Walter Henry (1963). Porter, Enid (ed.). Tales from the Fens. Routledge& Kegan Paul. ISBN 9780710010544. The Dark Huntsman". Legendarydartmoor.co.uk. 28 October 2007. Archived from the original on 19 October 2013 . Retrieved 18 June 2012. Campbell, John Gregorson (1900). Superstitions of the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. Glasgow: James MacLehose and Sons. More recently, Formula 1 motor racing president Bernie Ecclestone was brought up in Bungay and internet activist Julian Assange was confined to nearby Ellingham Hall, Norfolk in 2010–11. Authors Elizabeth Jane Howard [17] and Louis de Bernières [18] have lived in the town. Blind artist Sargy Mann moved to Bungay in 1990 and lived there until the end of his life. [19] Luke Wright (poet) has lived in Bungay since 2010. [20] Children's author and illustrator James Mayhew currently lives in Bungay. [21]

THE BLACK DOG OF BUNGAY

The greatest damage of all however was caused by a terrible fire on 1 March 1688, which devastated Bungay town, leaving some 200 families homeless and badly damaging this church, especially the tower and south aisle, melting the bells and destroying much of what was combustible inside. It is said that the inhabitants, seeking refuge, entered the church with their treasured possessions already burning. Following this disaster, major restoration and refurbishment took place. The south aisle roof was completed in 1699 and the handsome new altarpiece was installed in 1701 – the year that the church was reopened. Local accounts attribute the event to the Devil - The scorch marks on the door of Blythburgh Church are referred to by the locals as "the devil’s fingerprints" which can be seen at the church to this day. The history turns to folklore at the funeral of Henry Hobart. After dying of his wound in the hall itself, his family buried his body in the grounds. During the service, a dog came and sat at the feet of the Sexton, whining loudly. Later that day, Henry’s body was found torn from the ground and from his lead coffin and laid out on the grass. The family attempted to bury him again, this time in the woods nearby, but the ‘common ground spat it out’. His body was finally weighted with stones and lowered into the lake. A few days afterwards, the gamekeeper caught a “monstrous eel” from the waters while fishing. Although it looked ‘evil in appearance’ he took it home to cook in a stew. Barber, Sally and Barber, Chips (1988, 1990). Dark and Dastardly Dartmoor. Obelisk Publications. ISBN 0-946651-26-4.

In actuality, sightings of hellhounds or other demonic figures and acts are often inspired by fearsome weather phenomena. For example, the sightings in Bungay are often attributed to massive thunderstorms that caused buildings to collapse. Lightning strikes might burn wooden structures or at least cause a few stones to fall from stone churches — which could be seen as the devil’s work. Evans-Wentz, Walter (1966, 1990) [1911]. The Fairy Faith in Celtic Countries. Citadel Press. ISBN 0-8065-1160-5.The noted French writer, politician, diplomat and historian, François-René, vicomte de Chateaubriand while exiled from France, 1792 – 1800, during the Revolution spent a period living at the Music House, No. 34 Bridge Street. This is recorded on a blue plaque. [16] The town was almost destroyed by a great fire in 1688. The central Buttercross was constructed in 1689 and was the place where local farmers displayed their butter and other farm produce for sale. Until 1810, there was also a Corn Cross, but this was taken down and replaced by a pump. Darts professional Andrew Gilding lives in Bungay. Gilding won the PDC's UK Open tournament in 2023, defeating Michael van Gerwen 11-10 in the final at Butlin's Minehead Resort.

Wright, Elizabeth Mary (1913). Rustic Speech and Folk-Lore. Humphrey Milford, Oxford University Press. St Mary’s Church still attracts many visitors who come to see where this strange event took place but whereas the door in Blythburgh Church still retains the scorch marks of the Devils claws there is no similar evidence surviving in Bungay.

The Explanations Behind The Myths

Porter, Enid. "The folklore of East Anglia". 1974 Part 2. {{ cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= ( help) The festival features theatre, music and performance, art, literature, and history, offering exciting and thrilling activities for all ages and abilities, immersing visitors in the rich folklore of the region, set in the stunning natural environment of Bungay and the Waveney valley. While the congregation were assembled for worship, a thunderstorm blew up a –“great terryble & ferfull tempest… such darknes, Rayne, hayle, Thunder & lightyng as was never seen the lyke”, as it was described in the contemporary Churchwardens’ Account book.

With no more people to eat, the large dogs turned on one another. Only a cunning and very large, single female hound survived. Eventually she grew weak from hunger and was rescued by the fensmen who trained her to hunt the baron’s deer to supply them with fresh meat. Eventually the monks returned to attempt to finish the church again. Although the dog was friendly with the local people, she would reportedly growl at any Christians that came near. One year, the hound disappeared for a week, prompting concern from the fensmen. She soon returned, her paws cut and bleeding as if she had walked miles. It soon became apparent she was pregnant. With no wild wolves around this part of England, the monks nearby suspected the wolf was pregnant with the Devil’s child. A maximum of 10 items at a time suitable for the current or forthcoming season will be accepted. Please bring items on hangers (where possible). All items should be freshly laundered and in pristine condition. Customers can bring in 10 items each month but no more than 10 at any one time. Others were Catharine Parr Traill, who concentrated on children's literature, and Susanna Moodie, who emigrated to Canada and wrote Roughing it in the Bush (1852) as a warning to others. The novelist Sir H. Rider Haggard (1856–1925) was born nearby in Bradenham and presented St. Mary's Church with a wooden panel, displayed behind the altar. Religious writer Margaret Barber (1869–1901), author of the posthumously published best-selling book of meditations, The Roadmender, settled in Bungay.The encounter on the same day at St Mary's Church, Bungay was described in A Straunge and Terrible Wunder by Abraham Fleming in 1577: The festival was established in 2022 to reclaim the legend, and the date, for the town of Bungay and will run for 3 days in August. There will be a varied programme of events including a carnival parade and an art display Hilsdon, Sonia. Jersey Witches, Ghosts & Traditions. Norwich: Jarrold Colour Publications, 1984. Print.