It has similarities with Charles Shadwell's "Rotherick O'Connor, King of Connaught" (1719) but whereas that was a Whig-supporting play, Phillips was a Tory with Jacobite leanings. Shadwell portrayed the Norman Invasion of Ireland in a positive light, drawing parallels to William III's more recent victory there while Phillips portrays the Irish justly defending their country against Viking tyranny. He dedicated the play to Henry O'Brien, Earl of Thomond an Irish aristocrat of Gaelic background.