 The play is based on the Arthurian legend, specifically the story of Mordred's treachery and King Arthur's death as told in Geoffrey of Monmouth's "Historia Regum Britanniae".Several of Hughes' fellow members at Gray's Inn participated in "The Misfortunes of Arthur"’s writing and production for the inn's revels.Nicholas Trotte provided the introduction, Francis Flower the choruses of Acts I and II, William Fulbecke wrote two speeches, while Francis Bacon, Christopher Yelverton, John Lancaster, and Flower oversaw the dumb shows.