The son of a poor knight, Raimbaut went to Monferrat where he was accepted into the service of the Marquis and his son Boniface who was later elected (1201) to lead the fourth crusade, 1202. Though nothing is known of his life during the 1180s Raimbaut was in Provence in 1189 serving Hugues I but he returned to Monferrat in 1192. Though he did not accompany Boniface on the campaign to the Holy Land, he was with him during the campaign against Byzantium, 1207. It is not certain whether Raimbaut died at Boniface's side or if he survived for a document was witnessed by a Raimbaut in Provence as late as 1243. There are thirty five poems credited to Raimbaut and seven are extant with music. Clearly he composed his poems to fit music which he had heard, "Calenda maya" is considered the oldest estampida -- isolated melodies for which texts are later set. Raimbaut is also remembered for an epic letter which he wrote to his liege describing his life experiences; it is an exceptional biographical source. ~ Keith Johnson