William VIII of Montpellier

William VIII of Montpellier was born in 1158 to Raymond Berengar V, Count of Barcelona, and his wife Petronilla. He inherited the title of Count of Montpellier from his mother, who was the heiress of the city. He was also known as William the Romancer due to his penchant for love poems and songs. He was a patron of the arts and literature, and his court was known for its cultural and intellectual vibrancy. He also had a keen interest in medicine and was considered a skilled physician. During his reign, William VIII expanded Montpellier's trade and commerce, making it a major center for trade in the Mediterranean. He established a number of guilds and encouraged the growth of the textile industry in the city. In 1187, he allied with King Alfonso II of Aragon against the Almohads, a Muslim dynasty that controlled much of North Africa and Spain. The alliance was successful, and the Almohads were driven out of the region. William VIII died in 1202 while on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. He was succeeded by his son, William IX, who continued his father's patronage of the arts and literature.