Читать книгу Rogers' Directory of Norwich and Neighbourhood онлайн

4 страница из 108

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.