Lords of Montpellier

Ricuin II, the bishop of Mauguio gave these lands in fief to a knight named Guiu I.

He was succeeded by his son William I (985-1025) who received more lands around the city and died without descendants.

Much younger than its neighbours in the region such as Nîmes, Narbonne, Béziers or Carcassonne, most of which were created in Roman times, the Lordship of Montpellier was only created in the 11th century.

Situated between Spain and Italy, close to the Via Domitia and the port of Lattes, the city quickly experienced significant economic and cultural development, attracting gilders, goldsmiths, drapers and money changers.

It thus became a centre of trade between northern Europe, Spain and the Mediterranean basin.