'Nest, the story of a Welsh Princess,' by Pembrokeshire author, Bryan Alderson, has recently hit the book stands.

In this fast moving novel, Bryan has attempted to bring to life the world of one of Wales's most beautiful and controversial women.

Popular legend has it that she had many lovers and a host of children. Most people have heard of her romantic abduction from Carew Castle by the 'Ruffian Prince' Owain (allegedly with her connivance), but Bryan's researches have built up a very different picture.

It seems that she was a brave and intelligent woman who did her best in a very difficult and violent world.

Captured in battle by the Normans when only 12, she saw her father King Rhys ap Tewdwr killed beside her, and was then carried off to Westminster as a hostage 'for the good behaviour of her people.'

She was seduced there by the King of England and bore him a child. She might have become Queen, but objected to Henry's involvement in the murder of his brother William Rufus.

She was packed off to Pembroke, given land at Carew by the King, and married off to Gerald de Windsor, the first Castellan of Pembroke Castle. She and Gerald built the first castle at Carew.

Modern readers will be interested to see how she coped with two marriages, a violent abduction, and life long interference in her life by the King who could not leave her alone.

The rest of the amazing life of this very sexual woman is told with sensitivity and care for the facts.

This book is a must for anyone who enjoys a good read and would like to know more about life there in the early days of the Norman occupation.

'Nest, the story of a Welsh Princess, is published by Hedgehog Publications, of Haverfordwest, and is priced £7.99.