Raymond le Gros was absent at the time, and the safety of the Dublin garrison almost depended upon Basilia's concealing even the illness of her brother; so that she could convey the intelligence to her husband only in the following form: "To Raymond, her well-beloved lord and husband, Basilia wisheth health as to herself. Be it known to your sincere love, that the great jaw-tooth which used to give me so much uneasiness has fallen out. Wherefore, if you have any care or regard for me, or even for yourself, return with all speed." Strongbow is thus described by Giraldus Cambrensis: "His complexion was somewhat ruddy and his skin freckled; he had grey eyes, feminine features, a weak voice, and short neck. For the rest, he was tall in stature, and a man of great generosity and of courteous manner. What he failed of accomplishing by force, he succeeded in by gentle words. In time of peace he was more disposed to be led by others than to command. Out of the camp he had more the air of any ordinary man-at-arms than of a general-in-chief; but in action the mere soldier was forgotten in the commander. With the advice of those about him, he was ready to dare anything; but he never ordered any attack relying on his own judgment, or rashly presuming on his personal courage. The post he occupied in battle was a sure rallying point for his troops. His equanimity and firmness in all the vicissitudes of war were remarkable, being neither driven to despair in adversity, nor puffed up by success." Strongbow was buried in Christ Church, Dublin, which he had helped to rebuild. There his reputed monument may be seen. [See Desmond, 8th Earl of.] He is supposed to have left a son, who died a few years after him, and a daughter, Isabel, given in marriage by Richard I. to William Marshal, who succeeded to his title and estates. A. building on the site of the present Royal Hospital at Kilmainham was founded and largely endowed by Strongbow as a preceptory for the Knights Templars. Several notices of Strongbow's family—the De Clares—will be found in Notes and Queries, 1st Series, 5 52 134 148 174
De Cogan, Milo, was one of Nesta's grandsons who embarked in the Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland. [See Nesta.] He was by Strongbow appointed governor of Dublin, and successfully defended it against the first attack of the Northmen. He married his cousin, a daughter of Robert FitzStephen. In 1177 he was by patent created "Lord of the moiety of the Kingdom of Cork." He and his son-in-law, Ralph FitzStephen, we are told by Cambrensis, "jointly governed the kingdom of Desmond in peace for five years, restraining by their prudence and moderation the unruly spirits of their young men on both sides." They were killed in 1182, in an engagement with MacTire, prince of Imokelly, as they were, with a party of knights, proceeding from Cork to Lismore, to hold conference with some of the people of Waterford. 148
De Cogan, Richard, younger brother of preceding, specially distinguished himself in the defence, above mentioned, of Dublin. He is spoken of as having been appointed to the command of a picked body of troops by King Henry II. and sent into Ireland to supply the place of his brother Milo. 148
De Courcy, Sir John, Earl of Ulster, was one of the most valiant of the Anglo-Norman adventurers in the invasion of Ireland. An ancestor had accompanied the Conqueror to England and there obtained large estates. Sir John de Courcy served Henry II. in his French wars, and after Strongbow's death came to Ireland with De Burgh. Dissatisfied with De Burgh's conduct, he, with Armoric St. Laurence (his sister's husband) and Robert de la Poer, in 1177 proceeded northwards to carve out their fortunes by the sword. Having arrived at Downpatrick, De Courcy seized upon the district, and fortified the town, regardless of the remonstrances of the Papal legate, Vivian, and of the claims of MacDunlevy, prince of the district, who insisted that he had done homage to Henry II. for his estates. MacDunlevy, assisted by Roderic O'Conor of Connaught, collected a force of 10,000 men to dispossess De Courcy and his fellows. After many bloody encounters, at the bridge of Ivora and elsewhere, the discipline of the Normans prevailed over the numbers of the native owners of the soil. De Courcy now parcelled out Ulidia (the counties of Down and Antrim) among his followers. He was confirmed in his possessions by Henry II., who created him Lord of Connaught and Earl of Ulster. Wills says: "He erected many castles, built bridges, made highways, and repaired churches, and governed the province peacefully to the satisfaction of its inhabitants, until the days of King John's visit to Ireland." In 1178 he was obliged to retire for a time to Dublin wounded, after suffering a defeat from one of the northern chieftains. In 1185 he was appointed deputy to Prince John, a post he held for four years. He is thus described by Cambrensis: "In person John de Courcy was of a fair complexion, and tall,
