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been invested by Edward Bruce in the fourteenth century,
yet it is totally unnoticed by the early English writers
who have enumerated the havens in the north of Ireland.
The castle must have been erected at a very remote
period, but all record of its founder and date of its build-
ing have long since perished. VVe. learn, however, that
it was twice taken by the Earl of Kildare, first in 1503,
and a second time in 1512. Prior to the reign of Elizabeth,
though the precise year is unknown, it was inhabited by
Randolphus Lane; and in 1598 the town is described
A as lying eight miles up the river from Carrick-Fergus,
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and the river itself is represented as being then fordable
at the‘town. Elizabeth granted the demesne, castle, and
village of Belfast to Sir Thomas Smith, and to Thomas
Smith the younger, on condition of their raising and sup-
porting a body of horse and foot, which should serve her
majesty when required, and should assemble in Antrim.
In the reign of James the First, the fulfilmentof this con-
dition was required; but neither horse nor foot appearing
at the appointed rendezvous, Sir Arthur Chichester, with '- i
that cunning for which he was afterwards so remarkable,
laidclaim, as ‘Lord Deputy, to the forfeited lands, and
-was confirmed in the possession by his Majesty; In the
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. 2
fifth year of the same monarch, Sir Arthur procuredia
charter, constituting Belfast a corporate town, to be
governed by a sovereign, twelve burgesses, &c‘. with the
privilege of sending two representatives to.parliament.
Sir Arthur was also appointed constable of the castlegand
upon the 23rd of February, 1612, creatcd"Baron of Belfast.
The following year .Tl1omas Vesey was appointed Sove-
reign, and Sir John Blennerhasset, Baron of the Exche-
quer, a.ndG,eo‘rge- 'I‘revilIian,.‘Esq. c,hosen,to,serve in para
liament ; these were,‘ the first; persons , selected for: such
