Robert de Gresle
Robert de Gresle (1174–1230) was a Lord of the manor of Manchester, the first of his family to take up residence in Manchester. Initially the Gresle family, who were Normans, were absentee landlords, living elsewhere, with Stewards to represent them locally.[1]
Whilst Robert de Gresle took up residence his leadership led to an influx of skilled workers. In the early 13th century. Gresle was one of the landowners who made King John sign Magna Carta. Gresle was excommunicated for his role in the rebellion, and when King John later ignored the terms of 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.
In this period medieval Manchester was centered on the manor house and the church of St 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.