DUNWICH

village (parish), Suffolk Coastal district, administrative and historic county of Suffolk, England, on the North Sea coast. The first development on the site was probably a Romano-British community, and in Anglo-Saxon days it became the most important commercial centre in East Anglia. Early in the 7th century, when Sigebert became king of East Anglia, Dunwich was chosen as his capital, and a bishopric was founded before 650. The community received a charter from King John (reigned 11991216). Dunwich became a wealthy port, but severe coastal erosion caused its decline. In 1347 more than 400 houses were washed away in a storm, and similar disasters occurred in 1570. Until 1832 Dunwich returned two members to Parliament in spite of its small population. The corporation was abolished in 1886. Pop. (1981) 129.