He was also ordered by the commons to send up Ashburnham, Berkeley, and William Legge as prisoners, and, under protest, obeyed. Thus instead of becoming the king's protector, Hammond found himself his gaoler. His relations with the king were at first pleasant, but after the king's rejection of the 'Four Bills' tendered him by parliament at the end of December 1647, he was more closely confined, and the position of the governor became difficult.
The commons instructed Hammond to send Ashburnham, Berkeley, and William Legge as captives, and he reluctantly obeyed. As a result, instead of being the king's supporter, Hammond found himself in charge of his jailer. Initially cordial, their relationship deteriorated after parliament rejected 'Four Bills' at the end of December 1647.