The Queen, during a debate at the royal council board over the appointment of the new military commander for Ireland, had lost her temper and given Essex a box on the ear, and he in response had laid his hand on the hilt of his sword.

Burghley had died soon after this infamous incident, and ten days later the Crown forces in Ireland had been heavily defeated at the Battle of the Yellow Ford.

To complicate matters, King Philip II of Spain had died some days after.

Essex and the younger Cecil have each tried to diminish the other's influence at court by proposing the appointment (and therefore removal from court) of members of the opposing party.

The list of candidates had been exhausted upon the death in Dublin of Sir Richard Bingham, and when his name is put forward by the Cecil party Essex feels bound to offer his services.

The Queen, with some hesitation, accepts the offer and formally opts for Essex as her lord lieutenant of Ireland, whereupon he triumphantly announces his determination to beat O'Neill in the field.