Miles de Cogan facts for kids

Milo de Cogan was an Anglo-Norman knight who lived and was active between 1170 and 1182. He came from Glamorgan, a place in Wales. Milo played a big part in the Norman takeover of Ireland. He served under a famous leader named Richard de Clare, 2nd Earl of Pembroke, who was also known as Strongbow.

Who Was Milo de Cogan?

Milo's family got their name from a place called Cogan in Wales. Today, Cogan is a part of Penarth, near Cardiff. Milo was the nephew of two other important figures: Robert FitzStephen and Maurice FitzGerald. Records from 1166 show that Milo held land in Cogan. He held it as two "knight's fees," which meant he owed military service to his overlord, William Fitz Robert, 2nd Earl of Gloucester.

It's believed that Milo's family came from the original Viking settlers in Normandy.

Milo's Adventures in Ireland

In August 1170, Milo joined his uncles and sailed to Ireland with Strongbow's army. Less than a month later, he helped lead an attack on Dublin. His cousin, Raymond FitzGerald, led another group. They took over the city and many people were killed. After this, Milo was made the "constable" of Dublin, meaning he was in charge of keeping order.

In 1171, the former king of Dublin, Ascall mac Ragnaill, returned with 60 ships and attacked the city. Milo bravely rode out to fight them but was quickly pushed back. However, his brother, Richard, had hidden behind the attackers. Richard then surprised them from the rear, causing them to panic and flee. Many of Ascall's men were killed. Ascall himself was captured and Milo ordered him to be beheaded because Ascall had threatened to return if he was set free.

Soon after, Dublin was attacked again. This time, Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair brought a huge army of 30,000 men to surround the city. Milo led one of three small groups of soldiers who rode out from the castle walls. Against all odds, they managed to defeat the attackers.

Another attack happened in 1172, led by Tigernán Ua Ruairc. Milo once again rode out to surprise the attackers and drive them away. Later that year, Milo helped capture Limerick and was put in charge of its soldiers.

After these events, Milo spent two years fighting in England and France. He fought for King Henry II, alongside Robert FitzStephen. In 1177, the king gave Milo and Robert control of the Kingdom of Cork in Ireland. They held this land by promising to provide 60 knights for the king's service.

Family Life

Milo de Cogan married a woman named Christiana Paynel. She was the daughter of Fulk Paynel II, who was a powerful landowner in Devon, England.

Milo and Christiana had children, including:

• William de Cogan: He was Milo's main heir and took over the land in Cogan. William was later put in charge of Neath Castle in Wales.
• Another possible relative was John de Cogan, who gave land in Penarth to St Augustine's Abbey in Bristol.

Milo's Death

According to his cousin, Gerald of Wales, Milo de Cogan, Robert FitzStephen, and Robert's son Ralph (who was also Milo's son-in-law) were traveling in 1182. They were going from Desmond to Lismore to talk with people from Waterford. A man named Mac Tyre had invited them to stay with him. But Mac Tyre and a few men secretly attacked them with long axes and killed them.

Irish stories say that Milo and FitzStephen were actually marching to attack Waterford when Mac Tyre, a local king, killed them and their army. Gerald of Wales warned that Irish people sometimes spread false rumors about their enemies' deaths.

What Happened Next?

Milo's family line continued through his descendants.

• Richard de Cogan, who was likely William de Cogan's son, received large land grants in Ireland around 1207.
• Later, the family's name changed over time. Descendants from other branches of the family eventually used names like Gogan and Goggin, which is a common name in Ireland today.