Guelphs and Ghibellines

Rival political factions in medieval Italy

The Guelphs and Ghibellines ( GWELFS ... GHIB-il-ynze, US also -⁠eenz, -⁠inz; Italian: guelfi e ghibellini [ˈɡwɛlfi e ɡibelˈliːni]) were factions supporting the Pope (Guelphs) and the Holy Roman Emperor (Ghibellines) in the Italian city-states of Central and Northern Italy during the Middle Ages. During the 12th and 13th centuries, rivalry between these two parties dominated political life across Italy.

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