 During the late 17th century many buildings were demolished , either because of poor repair or to standardise and modernise the buildings at the Inn . Many more were built over the open land surrounding the Inn , although this was controversial at the time ; in November 1672 the Privy Council and Charles II himself were petitioned to order that nothing should be built on the open land , and a similar request was sent to the Lord Chancellor in May 1673 . From 1672 to 1674 additional buildings were constructed in the Red Lyon Fields by Nicholas Barebone , and members of the Inn attempted to sue him to prevent this . After the lawsuits failed members of the Inn were seen to fight with Barebones ' workmen , " wherein several were shrewdly hurt " . 
