From 1635 to 1641 Nicholas was one of the clerks in ordinary to the council.

In this situation he had

much business to transact in connection with the levy of ship-money. When in 1641 King Charles
I went to Scotland, he remained in London and was responsible for keeping the king informed of the
proceedings of parliament. When Charles returned to London, Nicholas was knighted and appointed
a privy councillor and a Secretary of State, in which capacity he attended the king while the court
was at Oxford and carried out the business of the Treaty of Uxbridge.[1]
Throughout the Civil War, Nicholas was one of Charles's wisest and most loyal advisers. He
arranged the details of the king's surrender to the Scots on 5 May 1646, although he does not
appear to have advised or even to have approved of the step. He also had the duty of treating for the
capitulation of Oxford on 24 June 1646, which included permission for Nicholas himself to retire
abroad with his family. He went to France, being recommended by the king to the confidence of
the Prince of Wales.[