[Sidenote: Introduction of Glamorgan to Ormonde.]
[Sidenote: Three commissions Jan.-March, 1644-5]
His sanguine hopes of Irish and foreign forces having been dashed, and Marston Moor having been fought, Charles turned to Glamorgan again. The latter had married Lady Margaret O'Brien, the late Earl of Thomond's daughter, and his many Irish connections might give him influence. Ormonde was informed that 'Lord Herbert'--the title of Glamorgan was dropped here--had business of his own in Ireland, and that he might be found incidentally useful in bringing about a peace. 'His honesty or affection to my service,' says the King in a cypher postscript, 'will not deceive you; but I will not answer for his judgment.' Yet to this man of more than doubtful discretion were given three commissions, the first of which authorised him to levy an unlimited number of men in Ireland and other parts beyond sea. By the second Charles promised 'in the word of a King and a Christian' to confirm all Glamorgan might do, whatever irregularities might appear when his powers came to be criticised. The third was a royal warrant to treat with the Confederate Roman Catholics of Ireland, proceeding with all possible secrecy. Ormonde was warned by friends in England to be on his guard against Glamorgan, who left Oxford soon after receiving the last commission, but circumstances changed a good deal before the latter reached Ireland. He sailed from the Welsh coast, but was chased by a Parliamentary ship and driven to Lancashire, whence he made his way to Skipton Castle, and there stayed for three months, during which Naseby was fought. In his instructions to Glamorgan which preceded the first of the three commissions above mentioned, the King promised solemnly to ratify whatever should be 'consented unto by our Lieutenant the Marquis of Ormonde,' but authorised him to supply if possible anything 'upon necessity to be condescended unto and yet the Lord Marquis not willing to be seen therein, or not fit for us at the present publicly to own.' Glamorgan seems to have given a verbal promise to consult Ormonde in everything, but there is no evidence that the Lord Lieutenant knew this, and it is only known to historians because Glamorgan, after his failure, was reproached by the King for not having done so.[70]