After her father's death in 1093, Deheubarth was conquered by theNormans and King Henry I of England appointed himself her protector.Nest bore him a son, Henry FitzRoy ‎(1103-1157)‎.
In c. 1095 King Henry decided to marry her to one of his knights, Geraldde Windsor, whom he appointed constable of Pembroke.
Nest and Gerald had five children:
1. William FitzGerald ‎(died 1173)‎
2. Maurice FitzGerald, Lord of Llansteffan ‎(died 1 September 1177)‎
3. David FitzGerald, Archdeacon of Cardigan and Bishop of St David's
4. Angharad de Windsor, who married William de Barry
5. A daughter ‎(possibly Gwladys)‎, the mother of Milo de Cogan
During Christmas 1109, Nest and her husband were visited by hercousin, Owain ap Cadwgan, son of Cadwgan ap Bleddyn, prince of Powys.Owain was so taken with Nest's beauty that he and fifteen companionsattacked the castle of Cenarth Bychan ‎(possibly Cilgerran Castle)‎, seizedNest, and carried her and her children off. The children were laterreturned to Gerald. This abduction earned her the nickname "Helen ofWales" because it led to civil war on a small scale.
Nest bore to Owain two sons, Llywelyn and Einion, before finally beingreturned to her husband. After Gerald's death, Nest became the lover ofStephen, constable of Cardigan, by whom she had another son, RobertFitz-Stephen who died in 1182.
Nest's daughter, Angharad, married Wlliam de Barry and had by him foursons: Robert; Philip, the founder of Ballybeg Abbey at Buttevant inIreland; Walter; the historian Gerald of Wales. Her sons Philip and Robertcampaigned in Ireland with Strongbow; Robert died there in 1182.