In 1585, the eruption of the Anglo-Spanish War over the Dutch Revolt, and fear of a Spanish invasion of England, led to a division in the English court. On the one side, the militant faction (led by Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester) argued for a direct military offensive in the Low Countries to prevent such a contingency, while, on the other side, the peaceful faction (led by William Cecil, Lord Burghley) contended war would be an expensive and risky resort, instead proposing diplomatic efforts to restore peace. At this time, Smythe was appointed Elizabeth's ambassador to Spanish military leader, Alexander Farnese, Duke of Parma. This was an unfortunate appointment for Smythe, as this office put him in the pro-peace camp, marking him as a political target for the militants. The embassy was cancelled soon after Smythe's summoning.
