Comparison of this biographical incident with the following passage from The Troublesome Raigne not only reveals the source of the dramatist's inspiration but also accounts for a scene that has appeared peculiar to many critics.
K. John. Ask Philip whose son he is.
Essex. Philip, who was thy father?
Philip. Mass, my lord, and that's a question: and you had not taken some pains with her before, I should have desired you to ask my mother.
K. John.. Say, who was thy father?
Philip. Faith, my lord, to answer you sure, he is my father that was nearest my mother when I was gotten; and him I think to be Sir Robert Falconbridge.
K. John. Essex, for fashion's sake demand again: And so an end to this contention.
Robert. Was ever man thus wrong'd as Robert is?
Essex. Philip! Speak, I say; who was thy father?
K. John. Young man, how now? what! art thou in a trance?