Mikod (also Mikud, Micudinus or Mendinus) was plausibly born into the gens (clan) Kökényesradnót, which possessed landholdings in the southeastern part of Nógrád County.
Charters of Pope Alexander III in 1171 and 1179 refer to Garáb as a dependent territory of Riéval Abbey.
They had assisted papal legate Walter, Bishop of Albano there, who was sent to the region to resolve the conflict between Holy Roman Emperor Frederick Barbarossa and Adalbert, Archbishop of Salzburg.
According to the latter's complaint, Mikod unlawfully seized the church of Fény (Keresztúr) in the Diocese of Veszprém from the abbey.
Pope Lucius III sent his legate, Bishop Theobald of Ostia to Hungary in order to investigate the case and judge over the lawsuit.