 In 1312, townsmen and merchants had broken into Lexden Park and hunted Robert FitzWalter's deer.The principal source of antagonism between the two parties was over disputed pasture rights in Lexden, and the area was the scene of many confrontations and assaults from both sides.FitzWalter, in turn, denied the jurisdiction of Colchester burgesses there and prevented the town from taxing his tenantry on the estate.