It is probable that the memory of Sir Adrian Fortescue, who had late in his life become a member of the Order of St. John, was cherished among his kinsmen, who adhered to the faith for the sake of which they believed him to have died a martyr, and it may be assumed that this feeling inspired Nicholas with the ambition to resuscitate the order, which had completely died out in England.
Fortescue was received as a Knight of Malta in 1638, and his project was favourably reported upon to the Grand Master, the Pope, and Cardinal Barbarini, protector of the order, by a commission appointed to investigate the matter.
The chief difficulty, which proved insuperable, was to procure the sum of twelve thousand scudi, to be expended in buildings, fees, and other expenses necessary to the refoundation of the order in England.
In 1642 the scheme was finally abandoned, owing, says Pozzo, to the "impious turbulence of the English people, which overthrew alike the cause of holy religion and of its royal patroness".
According to the Loyal Martyrology he was slain in a skirmish in Lancashire while advancing with Prince Rupert's army to the relief of York; but it is more probable that he was killed at the Battle of Marston Moor, since he was buried at Skipton on 5 July 1644.