Lord Broghill had played a very important part in the earlier years of the civil war, his last considerable exploit being the relief of Youghal in September 1645. He was never on very cordial terms with Inchiquin, but could work with him as the champion of the Protestant interest in Munster. The scene changed when Inchiquin deserted the Parliament, and Ormonde was fain to ally himself with the Kilkenny Confederates. Broghill retired to Marston Bigot in Somersetshire, which his father had bought for him, and waited there for the times to disentangle themselves. The execution of Charles I. seems to have been too much for him, and the Royalist idea prevailed so far that he was preparing to go to Spa, nominally for the gout, but really to be within reach of Charles II. According to the Rev. Thomas Morrice, who is the sole and not very trustworthy authority for this passage of Broghill's life, Cromwell visited him at this juncture, and offered him his choice between the Tower and a general's command in Ireland. He accepted the latter on the understanding that he was not expected to fight against any but the Irish. It is at all events certain that he was with Cromwell not very long after his arrival in Ireland, and that he told Inchiquin that he served upon some such terms and would be glad to do him personal service, 'though, perhaps, I might not believe it.' The promise of a general's commission is doubtful from what Ludlow says, but work was soon found for Broghill, who, in Cromwell's own words had 'a great interest in the men that came from Inchiquin.' At the beginning of November 1649, he was at Cork and Youghal as a commissioner for Munster, along with Sir William Fenton, the two famous seamen Blake and Deane, and Colonel Phaire, who was on duty at the late King's execution. The military authority was at first in Phaire's hands, but a troop of reformadoes--that is, unemployed officers--was given to Broghill, and before Christmas he was in command of at least 1200 horse. Kinsale was the first Munster garrison to declare for Cromwell; Cork soon followed, and commissioners from the English inhabitants were with him before he left Ross. Their first request, 'out of a sense of the former good service and tender care of the Lord of Inchiquin to and for them,' was that he should enjoy his estate and have his arrears paid up to the last peace, and that an Act of oblivion should be passed in his favour. This article Cromwell refused to answer, but promised that Inchiquin's defection should not be remembered to their prejudice, and that their charter should be renewed in its old form. Similar terms were given to the Youghal people, who abstained by Broghill's advice from making any conditions. He informed Cromwell that he and his colleagues were received at Youghal 'with all the real demonstrations of gladness an overjoyed people were capable of.'[156] [Sidenote: Inchiquin attempts a diversion,] [Sidenote: but is defeated.]