Fort with 4-6 guns, ditch and drawbridge built in 1547. It was allowed to fall into decay but repaired in 1587 and was still considered effective in 1631. By 1656 it was in use as a house, and so was not demolished the previous year. <1> It is shown on a map of 1656. <4> Holman describes it as decayed in 1710. <2> Morant says it was ruinous in 1768. <3>
A single turret is visible from the air in the saltmarsh beyond the sea wall. <6>
Other refs. <4><5>

Present management practice should continue <7>

Archaeological Survey of Cudmore Grove Country Park in 2002-3 looked at some timbers near the blockhouse. <8> - <9>

According to Kent a battery was built c.1796 into the seaward face of the old fort at East Mersea. This battery had 6 24 pounder guns. <10>

Management recommendations in 2005 recognised that the main risks to the site were sea wall construction and erosion either by nature or by increased visitors. The site needs to be monitored regularly for erosion and any archaeological strata revealed by erosion needs to be investigated. <11>