Nicholas was Archdeacon of Ely when he was first appointed chancellor by Henry III in 1260, but he was sacked in favour of Walter de Merton in 1261.
[1] His politics were in favour of the Montfortian dispensation in parliament created by the Provisions of Oxford.
He supported the new activism for which compromises could be extracted on liberties from the King in exchange for voting money.
But on his return from France, Henry III was absolved by the Pope from upholding the provisions.
Both the Justiciar, Hugh Despenser, and the Chancellor were dismissed in favour of the faction around the Marcher Lords.