[1] It premiered at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in London on 8 March 1817.

[2] The original cast included Edmund Kean as Manuel, Count Valdi, Alexander Rae as De Zelos, James William Wallack as Torrismond, Charles Holland as Mendizabel, Thomas Cooke as Almorad, John Powell as Guide and Margaret Somerville as Victoria.

The published work is dedicated to the writer Walter Scott.

It takes place in the wake of the Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa in Spain.

It failed to recapture the success of his debut play Bertram of the previous year, despite both starring Kean.