Giraut de Bornelh, a 12^th century Provençal troubadour, is credited with the formalization, if not the invention, of the "light" style, or trobar leu.

Giraut was born to a lower-class family in the Limousin, near Excideuil in modern-day France. He was connected to the castle of the viscount of Limoges. His life was simple and studious. In winter he frequented the schools of learning and studied literature under the most celebrated teachers of the period. In summer, accompanied by two singers who recited his songs, he visited the courts of his royal patrons including Richard Cour de Lion; Bohemond III, prince of Antioch; Fernando III of Castile; Alfonso IX of Leon; Pedro II of Aragon; Sancho, King of Navarre. It is assumed from his poetry that he made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land was involved in the Third Crusades.

Giraud enjoyed in his time a very high reputation and was considered by many to be one of the three great troubadours, along with Arnaud Daniel and Bertrand de Born.

His early poems, in which the influence of Arnaud Daniel is felt, belong to that form called, in Provençal, trobar clus, which means is involved and obscure. He soon rejected this style to a preferred dialog form of poetry or tenson, which is simpler and more appreciated by the public. The most well received of his poems include an alba (song at daybreak), the love songs addressed to Alamanda d'Estanc; a few sirventes (political and satirical poems) expressing the chivalrous ideas of the age. Although no complete edition of Giraud de Bornehl's works are extant, of the eighty poems attributed (most likely) to him are scattered throughout several collections.

He never married and at death divided his property between some poor relations and his parish church of Saint-Gervais.

Giraut de Bornelh - Also - Giraut de Bornelh (Guiraut) and Giraunt de Borneil (de Borneill, de Borneyll).