Nest ferch Rhys

[2][3][4] Some time after the rebellions of Robert of Normandy and Robert of Belesme, head of the powerful Montgomery family of Normandy and England, the King married Nest to Gerald FitzWalter of Windsor, Arnulf de Montgomery's former lieutenant and constable for Pembroke Castle.

In 1102, for siding with the Montgomerys against the King, Gerald had been removed from control of Pembroke, and one Saher, a knight loyal to Henry, installed in his place.

When Saher proved untenable in his new position, the King restored Gerald to Pembroke in 1105, along with Nest as his wife.

The most common alternative narratives are: The earliest account, that of Caradoc of Llancarfan,[6] relates that "At the instigation of the Devil, he [Owain] was moved by passion and love for the woman, and with a small company with him...he made for the castle by night."

The story that takes place at Carew Castle says Nest urged her husband to escape via a lavatory chute,[7] while she stayed to face Owain.

The Norman lords, the Justiciar of Salop, and at least one bishop, bribed Owain's Welsh enemies to attack him and his father, which they promptly did.

When he was denied his inheritance from his father, and accused by the King of conspiring against him, he allied with the prince of Gwynedd, and war broke out.