Born in Speyer, Julian studied at the University of Paris and was the musical director for the royal chapel during the reigns of Philip Augustus and Louis VIII of France.
Although in the Middle Ages, Julian of Speyer was held in high respect as a composer and writer of rhymed offices, he was almost forgotten until the end of the nineteenth century.
Only a few sentences in the third nocturn (the antiphons) were written by Pope Gregory IX and the cardinals; the rest is entirely Julian's composition.
Even outside the Franciscan Order the rhythmic structure has often been copied, with whole verses being frequently taken (especially from the Historia rhythmica of St. Francis) and set to Julian's melodies without any changes.
Only in the turn of the century was Julian recognized as the author of the Legenda S. Francisci and of the Vita ab auctore anonymo of St Anthony of Padua.