In 1311, he travelled to Montpellier in southern France, where he hoped to be cured of leprosy at the famous school of medicine.
He retired from government and lived the rest of his life at Pustow, near Güstrow.
After his death, Werle was split again, with Nicholas' son John III taking Werle-Goldberg and Nicholas' younger brother John II taking Werle-Güstrow.
Nicholas first married in 1292, with Richeza (died before 27 October 1308), a daughter of King Eric V of Denmark.
He had two children with her: His second wife was Matilda, the daughter of Duke Otto II of Brunswick-Lüneburg.