Nest Bloet facts for kids
Nest Bloet (died 1224 or 1225) was a Welsh noblewoman. She was sometimes known as "Nest of Wales." Nest was famous for her connections with important people, including King Henry II of England. Her mother was Angharad, whose father was Uthred, the Bishop of Llandaff. Nest's father was Iorwerth ab Owain, who was the lord of Caerleon.
Nest's Family and Connections
Nest married Ralph Bloet III before 1175. Ralph was from the Marcher Lordship of Striguil, which was centered at Chepstow. His family, the Bloets, became important landowners in south-east Wales and south-west England. This happened when Ralph's great-grandfather, Walter Bloet, received the area of Raglan. This gift came from Richard de Clare around 1171. Nest's marriage to Ralph connected two powerful families in the region.
Nest and King Henry II
Nest is most known for her relationship with King Henry II. This connection likely happened in the early or mid-1170s. She might have met the King in 1175 at Gloucester. Henry was there to meet with Welsh lords. At this meeting, he gave Caerleon back to Nest's father. Henry and Iorwerth had also met three years earlier.
Nest and King Henry II had a son named Morgan. Ralph and Nest raised Morgan, but King Henry II recognized him as his son. Morgan grew up to become an important church leader. He was chosen to be the bishop of Durham. However, Pope Innocent III did not allow him to take the position. This was because Morgan was born outside of marriage. The Pope suggested Morgan could say Ralph was his father. But Morgan refused and never became bishop.
Nest's Children
Nest had several children. Besides Morgan, she had five children with her husband Ralph Bloet.
- Ralph Bloet (died 1241 or 1242): He was her oldest son. He inherited the Bloet family's lands and titles.
- Thomas Bloet (died between 1211 and 1215)
- Roland (died 1217)
- William (active in 1261)
- Petronilla: She married Diarmait MacCarthaig, who was the King of Desmond.
Life as a Widow
Nest's husband, Ralph, died in 1199. As a widow, Nest gained new legal rights. She used these rights to settle disagreements over land. She had disputes with her brother-in-law, Robert Bloet, and her brother, Hywel ab Iowerth.
Nest seemed to have the support of King John. This might be why her disputes were settled in her favor. She received a good amount of land and money after her husband's death. King John also included several of Nest's sons in his royal household. One of her sons, Roland, died fighting for King John. He was fighting against his own cousin, Morgan ap Hywel of Caerleon.
Nest Bloet died sometime between the autumn of 1224 and the summer of 1225. The cause of her death is not known.
