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"Bungay Castle" a novel by Elizabeth Bonhote
Born to a baker, she lived not far from the castle as a child. Elizabeth was a lady born ahead of her time since women were not expected to be educated and writing stories was a man's world but with sheer determination Elizabeth succeeded, first of all writing verses and then novels. She married Daniel Bonhote in 1772 and had three children. Her writing career was interrupted by illness during her pregnancies and it would be ten years before her next book.
This was not to be and when the Castle was put up for sale in 1791, Daniel bought it for Elizabeth and a summer house was built between the towers. It was here that she wrote the novel Bungay Castle, produced in two volumes in 1796 which sold well establishing her place as publisher Minerva Press' best selling author. The novel was to be her last. Daniel Bonhote sold the castle back to the Dukes of Norfolk just a few years before he died in 1804 and Elizabeth died in Bungay in 1818 at the age of 74. Her name lives on to this day in the town with a street named after her. She was a great benefactor, having left houses and her parents shop. In addition £3500 (a considerable sum in those days) was used to buy five almshouses for widows of poor tradesmen. This was a wonderful way for her family to commemorate her.
In the book "Bungay Castle" the readers are introduced to the teenagers Roseline and Edwin De Morney who, after hearing ghostly cries during a storm set out to investigate and discover a secret from their family's past that affect their lives for ever.
About 80 invited guests attended the launching at Bungay Castle Visitors Centre by Chris Reeve on Saturday May 6th. This was followed by a tour of the many places mentioned in the book. Published by Zittaw Press, Bungay Castle by Elizabeth Bonhote is available from the Castle Visitors Centre as either a paperback at £9.95 or as a 10 CD set for £25 or you can email Val for further details
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Bungay Castle Built by Hugh Bigod in 1165 Second castle with the tower built by Roger Bigod in 1294 Passed to the Crown in 1297 Had various owners but was never occupied In 1483 it was passed to the Dukes of Norfolk Owned by Robert Mickleborough for demolition in late 1700's Bought by Daniel Bonhote in 1791 Sold back to the Duke of Norfolk in 1800 In 1934 there was a programme of excavation and repair, rebuilding parts of the decayed walls Presented to the town in 1987 by the Duke of Norfolk, the castle is now administered by the Castle Trust. Mr Colin Hancy is the present Chairman The Castle can be visited free of charge by the access at The Castle Visitors Centre.
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Originally published over 200 years ago, Elizabeth Bonhote's book is a story of seduction, betrayal, romance and mystery set in the ruins of Bungay Castle, in which Elizabeth once lived. 
Bungay Castle at this time was owned by a Robert Mickleborough who though that he could sell stones and rubble from it and make a lot of money. 
