In consequence of this attack, Lee says that 'The town of _Brighthelmston_, thus harassed by frequent alarm, and the desultory attacks of an active enemy, resolved to erect fortifications, which might afford them some protection in future. Accordingly, at a Court Baron held for the manor of Brighthelmstone-Lewes, on the 27th of September, 1558, the Lords of the manor granted to the inhabitants of the town, a parcel of land on the cliff between Blacklyon street and Ship street, and about two hundred and sixteen yards westward from the lower end of East street, thirteen feet in length and sixteen feet in breadth, to build thereon a storehouse for armour and ammunition, afterwards called the _Blockhouse_. This parcel, however, was only part of the site of that building; for, at a Court Baron held for the Manor of _Atlyngworth_, on the 3rd day of January 1613, the homage presented that the north side of the said building stood on the demesne lands of that manor. The _Blockhouse_, the walls of which were about eight feet in thickness, and eighteen feet in height, was circular, and measured 50 feet in diameter. Several arched apartments in its thick walls were repositories for the powder and other ammunition for the defence of the town. In front of it, towards the sea, was a little battery called the _Gun Garden_, on which were mounted four pieces of large iron ordnance. Adjoining the _Blockhouse_, on the east, stood the _Townhouse_, with a dungeon under it for the confinement of malefactors. From the summit of this building rose a turret, on which the town clock was fixed. 'At the same time, with the _Blockhouse_, were erected four Gates of freestone (three of which were arched) leading from the Cliff to that part of the town which lay under it; _viz._ the _East-gate_ at the lower end of _East-street_; the _Portal_, vulgarly miscalled the _Porter's-gate_, which was less than any of the others, and stood next the _East-gate_; the _Middle-gate_, opposite the end of _Middle-street_, commonly called the _Gate of all nations_; and the _West-gate_, which stood at the end of _West-street_. From the _East-gate_, westward, there was, at the same time, a wall built about fifteen feet high, and four hundred feet long, where the _Cliff_ was most easy of ascent: and, from the termination of that wall, a parapet, three feet high, was continued on the verge of the _Cliff_ to the _West-gate_, with embrasures for cannon. The _Blockhouse_ was built at the expense of the mariners of the town; but the gates and walls seem to have been erected partly, if not wholly, at the expense of Government. 'The upland part of the town, thus effectually secured on the south, might also, in case of any emergency, be rendered pretty secure on its three other sides, by cutting trenches at the ends of the streets which led into the town; or barring the enemy's entrance with lumber carriages and household furniture, while the inhabitants annoyed them from every quarter.'