Essex has enjoyed immense popularity in England during the 1590s, especially in Puritan London, where he is considered a pillar of Protestantism.

The hero of England’s recent expedition against Cadiz, he has championed maritime attacks on Spain and strong measures in Ireland to counter the rebel Hugh O'Neill, 3rd Earl of Tyrone, making himself leader of the war party at the height of the Anglo-Spanish war).

The Queen's principal secretary, Lord Burghley (father of Sir Robert Cecil), is however strongly opposed to him, favoring peace with Spain and a steady hand in Ireland.

Burghley in April 1598 confronts Essex in the council chamber or the last time.

Essex denounces peace with Spain as dishonorable, but Burghley interrupts him, saying that, "he breathed forth nothing but war, slaughter and blood", and then points to the twenty third verse of Psalm 55 in his prayerbook: "Bloodthirsty and deceitful men shall not live out half their days."