Having failed to acquire any real influence at Kilkenny, Antrim went to England, and arrived at Oxford December 16, 1643. He talked about providing an army of 10,000, but was not at first taken very seriously. 'We know the person well,' said Digby, 'and therefore wondered to find those probabilities which he made appear unto us of his power with the Irish.' But Montrose was at Oxford, and saw his chance at once. On January 28, an agreement was made between Montrose, 'his Majesty's Lieutenant-General' for Scotland and Antrim, 'his Majesty's General of the isles and highlands of Scotland,' binding both to appear in arms by April 1. Antrim's share of the work was to levy all the men he could in Ireland and in the Scottish isles, 'and with the said forces invade the Marquis of Argyle's country in Scotland.' The witnesses were Digby, Robert Spotswoode, and Daniel O'Neill. The King himself directed Ormonde to give Antrim every possible assistance, and Daniel O'Neill was sent with him 'by way of ballast,' and as 'the fittest person to steer him.' It was very hard to bring the King to this point, for he distrusted Antrim and disliked O'Neill. But Digby was in his element, and he persuaded Charles to give Antrim a marquisate, which he vainly imagined would make him Ormonde's equal, and to appoint O'Neill a Gentleman of the Bedchamber, which was his great object of ambition. At Oxford Antrim talked chiefly of the moderate courses to which he intended to lead the Irish, but at Kilkenny he had encouraged them to hope that by his interest all their objects would be easily gained.[52] [Sidenote: The Confederates hesitate to send troops to England.] [Sidenote: Antrim raises a small force,] [Sidenote: under Alaster Macdonnell,] [Sidenote: who joins Montrose.]