Career
Initially the Gresle family, who were Normans, lived elsewhere. Stewards represented them, and the manor continued to develop in their absence. The first Gresle to actually live in Manchester was Robert Gresle (1174–1230), and his presence is believed to have led to an influx of skilled workers.
In the early 13th century, Manchester was not under the control of the Gresle family for a period of time.
Robert Gresle was one of the barons who made King John sign the Magna Carta. Gresle was excommunicated for his role in the rebellion and when King John later ignored the terms of the Magna Carta, Gresle forfeited his lands.
King John died in 1216 and the land was returned to Robert Gresle on behalf of King Henry III. Medieval Manchester was centered on the manor house and the church of Street Mary mentioned in the Domesday Book. The castle in Manchester overlooked the rivers Irk and Irwell where the Chethams School of Music stands today.
The Gresle family directly leased land to tenants and created burgage tenements for indirect rent.
The following is an abstract of the charter quoted in the note to the concord Number. 29, page 162.
