[1] It was written in commemoration of the Battle of Talavera, where Sir Arthur Wellesley led an Allied force of British, Portuguese and Spanish troops to a victory over the French in the Peninsular War.

The victory led to popular celebrations in Britain and Wellesley was made Lord Wellington.

As well as his literary interests, Croker was a Tory politician who served for many years of Secretary to the Admiralty.

[2] The publisher John Murray said it had achieved more success than any other short poem he knew.

[3] Croker later became a close associate of his fellow Irishman, now Duke of Wellngton, following the end of the Napoleonic Wars.