A measure of the importance of drama in the Elizabethan world and its possible use in rebellions against the state is the presentation of Shakespeare's Richard II before the rebellion of the Earl of Essex (Sir Robert Devereux)-Essex wanted to use the play to show the people of London that a sovereign might be overthrown. He failed, but that he made the attempt is significant.
What purports to be King Philip is made up of adapted bits and pieces of Titus Andronicus (it is fortunate that "Spain" and "Parma" scan the same as "Rome" and "Titus"), The Merchant of Venice, Henry VIII, and Thomas Hughes' The Misfortunes of Arthur.
Lope de Vega holds a position in Spanish literature not far removed from that of Shakespeare in English.
He did in fact sail in the Armada, and was one of the lucky few to return safely to Spain. He had a lively time with women all through his life.
The alert reader will note cribs from Shakespeare scattered through the pages of Ruled Britannia. One of the pleasures of the research for this novel was reading all of Shakespeare's surviving work, and fitting in phrases and lines wherever they would go.
There really was a woman named Cicely Sellis charged with witchcraft, but she was not the same as the character in this book, and did not live in London. Captain Will Adams is also a historical figure.
Constable Walter Strawberry is not, but his origins should be obvious.