 Milton Blockhouse was designed by the Clerk of the King 's Works , James Nedeham , and the Master of Ordnance , Christopher Morice , with Robert Lorde serving as the paymaster for the project and Lionel Martin , John <unk> and Mr Travers acting as the local overseers . The fort was built on Chapel Field , which the Crown bought , along with the land for Gravesend Blockhouse , from William Burston for £ 66 ; the field had previously been part of Milton Chantry , dissolved by Henry VIII during the Reformation . The work was quickly completed , and by 1540 the blockhouse was in operation and equipped with 30 artillery guns , 6 handguns and various pikes and longbows . Initially commanded by Captain Sir Edward Cobham , it had a small garrison of 12 men , including a second in command , a porter , three soldiers and seven gunners ; these men would have been supported by reinforcements if the fort had ever come under attack . 
