After the States captured Sas van Gent and Hulst in 1644-1645, many Spanish forts came into the hands of the States. The Peace of Munster established the borders, making it unnecessary for the Spaniards to construct a new northerly defence line. The Nine Years’ War changed this situation. During the war, a first new line was established. The Bedmar line was constructed during the War of the Spanish Succession and ran from Knokke to the Perel II fort along the Scheldt. The forts of Beieren and Sint-Jan were among the forts then established by French troops. In the conservation area De Stropers, some of the line is easily visible and the redans are quite well preserved. Some of it is now being restored by the Vlaamse Landmaatschappij. The Sint-Jan fort was originally constructed by the Spaniards at the end of the 16th century and was never taken by the States during The Revolt. During the War of the Spanish Succession, the entire fort was refurbished and incorporated in the line. It is still relatively well preserved, but is crossed by a road constructed during the Austrian period.
