after peace was achieved with france in 1558, military attention shifted towards the spanish threat to the increasingly prosperous south-west side of england. tensions with spain grew and invasion appeared likely in 1589, resulting in royal permission being given to reuse the stonework from the east blockhouse for new coastal defences, but this work was not carried out. the fort continued to decay until the 20th century. with the outbreak of the second world war in 1939, the east blockhouse was adapted for use by the british military. the interior was cleared out and a shed was built in one corner. a slit trench was dug on the north side of the building, a rifle embrasure formed on the east side of the building, and a machine-gun position was dug out and protected with sandbags outside it.