A century later, and we find the lay and clerical elements in rancorous hostility. Perpetual animosities between the citizens and the monks rose at last to such a height, that the priory was, in 1234, entirely destroyed; while 38 years subsequently, the cathedral itself was well nigh demolished—an offence for which the city was visited with the terrors of an interdict. The injury, however, was not irreparable, for with a fine of 3000 marks imposed on the principal inhabitants, and with some liberal donations, the edifice was sufficiently restored as in 1278 to be consecrated by Bishop Middleton, in the presence of Edward the First and his queen, Eleanor—the first royal visit of which we have any reliable evidence. A wall was, moreover, raised round the Cathedral precincts—St. Ethelbert’s Gate being erected by the citizens; and this seems for a time to have prevented further dissension. Between the two epochs of contention above-named, arose the first recorded charitable institution in Norwich—Bishop Walter de Suffield founding St. Giles’ (commonly called the Old Man’s) Hospital, for the triple purpose of ensuring masses for his soul’s repose, providing an asylum for superannuated and infirm priests, and furnishing a refuge for 13 aged persons; to the last object only, it is hardly necessary to say, is the building now devoted; and enriched by subsequent benefactions, the hospital accommodates 50 of each sex, who, on admission, must have reached 65 years of age. Another noticeable feature which must by no means be overlooked while dwelling on this period, is the enclosure of the city, from Conisford or King street to Pockthorpe, by a wall. This important work, a testimony to the increasing prosperity of the city, as well as to the turbulence of the times, was commenced in 1294 and completed in 1320; but it was not till two and twenty years afterwards that, through the munificence of one Richard Spynk, the wall was flanked with 40 towers, furnished with 12 gates, and fortified by a broad ditch. The gates remained up to 1792, and the wall, though now built upon on every side, may yet be traced for almost its entire length, being especially prominent as the southern boundary of Chapel Field, and offers many a study to the antiquarian and the historian.