 A charter was granted in 1272 to Richard V de Grenville by King Henry III, which created the town's first council.In ancient records Bideford was recorded as a borough but has only returned members to Parliament during the reigns of Edward I (1272–1307) and Edward II (1307–1327).The Grenville family were for many centuries lords of the manor of Bideford and played a major role in the town's development.