Leverpoole. In the Harleian MSS. it is also spelt Leverpoole. Camden, in his Britannica, spells it Lirpoole, and Litherpoole; and it has been spelt by others Lirrpol and Lyverpoole. The latter appears to have immediately preceded the present mode of spelling it, Liverpool. The ancient history affords but few particulars worthy of notice. It is not mentioned in Doomsday Book, unless, as some antiquarians assert, it is mentioned under the appellation of Esmedune, or Smedune; our limits, however, forbid our giving the adverse arguments on this point. On the authority of the Kenion MSS. it is stated, "that Roger de Poicton, Earl of Lancaster, built a castle at Liverpool, and there placed as Governor and Castellan his trusty friend Vivian Molyneux;" yet others, with more probability, attribute the foundation of the fortress to King John, who visited this place, and observed its local advantages, when he embarked hence on one of his expeditions to Ireland. It is probable that John granted the first charter that conferred any peculiar privileges; for although two charters are mentioned in the corporation records, as having been granted by Henry I., it does not appear they were of any available benefit to the town. Henry III. confirmed the charter granted by John, and conferred additional privileges. The castle was governed by a constable, and that office was vested in the family of Molyneux from the reign of Henry V. to that of Elizabeth. It was dismantled in 1659, and in 1721 the ruins were removed to make way for
