My Genealogy Home Page:Information about Geraldus Fitzwalter De Windsor
Geraldus Fitzwalter De Windsor (b. Abt. 1070, d. Abt. 1136)
Notes for Geraldus Fitzwalter De Windsor:At the time of the Conquest, Wales was divided into three principalities; North, South and mid-Wales. William I anticipating the total conquest of Wales, established aggressive Norman followers, including Gerald, in key castles along the border. In the Northern and Central principalities he met with success, but in the South this success was offset by the powerful ruler, Rhys ap Tewdyr (Tudor). William, after a show of strength, agreed to the continuance of Rhys ap Tewdyr as ruler, a compromise reached between them that the Welsh 'king' should acknowledge William as his overlord.
Gerald married Nest (sometimes spelled Nesta) the daughter of Rhys ap Tewdyr. The marriage may have been arranged by the two rulers, since Gerald was Constable of Pembroke Castle at the time. Gerald had four children by Nest, and she had five more children, out of wedlock, by various fathers, including Henry fitz Roy, by Henry I. Gerald is the ancestor of the Fitzgerald families, in both England and Ireland, and is also the ancestor of the Earls of Kildare, the Earls of Leinster and the Earls of Offaly.
Giraldus Cambrensis, Gerald of Wales, was the grandson of Gerald and Nest. He was the Archdeacon of Brecon, and wrote some seventeen books, including The Journey through Wales. He had hoped to succeed his uncle, David Fitzgerald, the son of Gerald and Nesta, as Bishop of St David's, when he would have tried to free the see of St David's from subservience to Canterbury. Henry II, aware of Gerald's intentions, appointed Peter de Leia as Bishop.
More About Geraldus Fitzwalter De Windsor and Nest Verch Rhys:
Marriage: Abt. 1100, Windsor, Berkshire, England.
Children of Geraldus Fitzwalter De Windsor and Nest Verch Rhys are:
- +Maurice Fitzgerald, b. 1100, Windsor, Berkshire, England, d. 1177, Abbey Grey Friar, Welford, Berkshire, England.