Aged around 15, he inherited the lordship of Montpellier from his father in 1146[1] under the tutelage of his grandmother, Ermessende of Melgueil.
[citation needed] His father had retired to a monastery leaving him the lordship.
[1] The wealth of the estate was derived from Mediterranean trade at the port of Maguelone.
Montpellier joined in a coalition aligned against the Count of Toulouse.
He fell ill in 1171 and made his will on St Michael's day (29 September 1171), appointing his brother Gui Guerrejat and John of Montlaur, bishop of Maguelonne, as joint guardians of his 4 young sons.