“To be beset” has a range of meanings. It can mean having persistent problems, and to be surrounded by something (problems/things). It collocates with “with” or “by”.
Contemplate these examples.
- Geneva is beset with (…ésta rodeada de…) high mountains. Here it means surrounded by mountains.
- King Charles, the King of Great Britain, has a Crown beset with (tiene incrustaciones de piedras especiales) special stones.
- Spain is a country beset with (or plagued by) economic difficulties (…plagado de dificultades).
- Some parts of northern Spain have been beset by floods.
- Mr. Sanchez, the Spanish Prime Minister, is beset (…le assalta las dudas…) with doubts over Podemos.
So King Charles of Great Britian lives in a palace beset by gardens and trees, and is King of a country beset by strikes, and the country is beset with considerable economic difficulties.
