Guelphs and Ghibellines

The Guelphs and Ghibellines (/ˈɡwɛlfs/, /ˈɡɪbɪlaɪnz/, also US: /-liːnz, -lɪnz/; Italian: guelfi e ghibellini [ˈɡwɛlfi e ɡɡibelˈliːni; -fj e]) were factions supporting the Pope and the Holy Roman Emperor, respectively, in the Italian city-states of central and northern Italy. The division between the Guelphs and Ghibellines in Italy, fuelled by the imperial Great Interregnum, persisted until the 15th century.

Guelphs and Ghibellines

The Guelphs and Ghibellines (/ˈɡwɛlfs/, /ˈɡɪbɪlaɪnz/, also US: /-liːnz, -lɪnz/; Italian: guelfi e ghibellini [ˈɡwɛlfi e ɡɡibelˈliːni; -fj e]) were factions supporting the Pope and the Holy Roman Emperor, respectively, in the Italian city-states of central and northern Italy. The division between the Guelphs and Ghibellines in Italy, fuelled by the imperial Great Interregnum, persisted until the 15th century.