[Area TQ 897 729] A fort at Swale Ness is shown on a map of c1572 in the Public Record Office (MPF 240). It is not shown on a map of the Medway defences dated 1688 (PRO MPHH 25). (1,2) There are no visible remains of this fort. (3) Plans for a bastioned fort at Swaleness, intended to protect against the Spanish attack from Flemish ports, were drawn up by a naval engineer named Lyeth or Lueth in 1574. Swaleness was a marsh and in order to build a fort there it was first necessary to drain and embank the site. This was done in 1575. The making of the great wall of earth 25 feet wide, 8 feet high and 5672 feet in circumference cost #186- 14s-7d. The building of the fort itself appears never to have been proceeded with (4). The existance of a Tudor farmhouse site was proved and underlying 13th century deposits were found as a result of a rescue operation by the Lower Medway Archaeological Research Group on Deadman's Island,c.1966 (5). Additional reference (6) and site phototgraphs (7-10). Fort not seen during 2002 survey (11).

<1> Map of Sheppey c1572 scale about 3" to 1 mile (OS Card Reference). SKE46539.

<2> Map of Medway Defences 1688 (G Collins) scale about 3" to 1 mile (OS Card Reference). SKE46524.

<3> F1 CFW 20-JAN-65 (OS Card Reference). SKE42667.

<4> Hist of King's Works 4 pt 2 1982 479 481 (OS Card Reference). SKE44024.

<5> Arch Cant 81 1966 lix (MA Ocock) (OS Card Reference). SKE35729.

<6> Field report for monument TQ 87 SE 35 - January, 1965 (Bibliographic reference). SKE4687.

<7> 1946, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX9484.

<8> 1946, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX9496.

<9> 1947, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX9797.

<10> 1947, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX9816.

<11> Wessex Archaeology, 2002, North Kent Coast Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey Phase II: Field Assessment (Pilot) (Bibliographic reference). SWX11840.