Gerald de Windsor (Gerald of Windsor)

Gerald de Windsor (born Geraldus Fitzother in 1070) was the head of all of the Fitzgeralds (and all spelling variations included our hyphenated version).  He was from the Gheraldinis from Florence, Italy ... so that means that were from Italy rather than Ireland ... hmmm, don't think that will go over too well with the family historians.

It was warfare that first took Gerald to Wales.  Henry I had appointed him Constable of the great castle of Pembroke (near present day Milford Haven), which had been built by Arnulf Montgomery and was the most important for/tress in South Wales. Gerald was also placed in charge of the Norman forces fighting the Welsh. In 1094, he won distinction by his gallant defense of the castle when the Welsh laid siege.

Gerald was married to Nest in 1095.  In order to be totally accurate, Nest was basically given to Gerald by Henry I.  Nest's father was killed in battle and Nest was then given to or taken by Henry I as a ward and she was under his protection.  Nest was very beautiful and the ward-ship became an affair whereby she was Henry I's mistress.  Since Henry I was politically obligated to an arranged marriage, Nest was given to Gerald for his successful defense of the Pembroke castle and surrounding lands.  By his marriage, Gerald obtained possession of a considerable territory in Wales as Nesta's dowry.

(More history and references to be added later)