in 1921, winstanley claimed "absolute" certainty that "the historical analogues exist; that they are important, numerous, detailed and undeniable" and that "shakespeare is using a large element of contemporary history in "hamlet"." she compared hamlet with both the earl of essex and james i. she also identified polonius with burghley parallels, and noted a "curious parallel" in the relationship between ophelia and hamlet with that of burghley's daughter, anne cecil, and her husband, edward de vere, 17th earl of oxford. winstanley noted similar parallels in the relationship of elizabeth vernon and henry wriothesley, 3rd earl of southampton.