Background
He was the third son of Sir Thomas Monck, knt., of Potheridge, Devonshire, and younger brother to George Monck, 1st Duke of Albemarle, the famous general. He was born at Potheridge in 1610, and in 1629 matriculated at Wadham College, Oxford. The small living of Plymtree in Devonshire, which he obtained after 1646 through his marriage in 1642 with the daughter of the then rector, whose family had the presentation, was confirmed to him by General Monck"s influence with Cromwell.
But his sympathies certainly leaned to the royalist side, and he was in 1653 presented by his kinsman, Sir John Granville, 1st Earl of Bath, to the valuable living of Kilhampton, Cornwall, worth about £260 a year.
Education
He graduated Bachelor of Arts on 3 March 1630-1631, and M. A. on 30 October 1633.
Career
He found the general engaged with a council of officers, but confided his mission to the general"s chaplain, John Price, who was in the confidence of the royalist party. From Price, Monck received every encouragement. The next day the brothers met, and various accounts are given of their interview, but all agree that the general refused to commit himself as to his future conduct.
After the Restoration, Nicholas was made provost of Eton, on the recommendation of Granville.
There was no pretence of election on the part of the fellows, who, much incensed by Charles"s arbitrary proceeding, refused to make an entry of the appointment in the college register. A copy of the royal letter, dated 7 July 1660, nominating Monck is extant in the Eton Library.
He was to hold his provostship in addition for two years. Consecrated on 6 January 1660-1661 in Westminster Abbey by the Archbishop of York, he lived to enjoy his new dignity only for eleven months.
A son Nicholas died young.
