Characters in this episode mirror Henry II of England and his entourage as seen in The Lion in Winter (1968):
- Henry II Plantagenet = Henry Broom (the Plantagenets had a broom in their family crest; the broom plant is "planta genista")
- Eleanor of Aquitaine = Nora Broom (estranged wife)
- "young Henry" (died approx. age 28) = Harry Broom, deceased
- Richard = Richard Broom
- John = Johnny Broom
- Alais, Henry's mistress = Alice Vexin, Henry's assistant (Alais brought Henry II the title to the Vexin)
The Arab prince is said to be from the United Hashemite Kingdoms. The Hashemite Kingdom is another name for Jordan.
Details of this episode's narrative echo details in the Boulting Brothers' satirical comedy 'I'm All Right Jack'. Central events in both occur in factories producing missiles. In both, sales deals with an underhand aspect are being conducted with a middle-eastern country. In both, a character is suspected by unionised workers of being party to a secret time and motion study. In both there is a character named Tracepurcel: a dishonest member of management in 'I'm All Right Jack', a union shop steward here in 'Endeavour'. In the latter there is a character named (Percy) Malleson, in the former a character is played by an actor named (Miles) Malleson.
Nora Broom is said to be staying at "Chinon Court", a country house belonging to the Broom family. This is yet another reference to "The Lion In Winter", as the whole of James Goldman's play, and most of the 1968 film version, takes place at Chinon Castle.
Johnny Broom strongly objects to his mother's nickname for him, "Little Boots" - not surprisingly, as this was the nickname of one of the most notorious of all Roman emperors, Caligula.