Who were the Guelfi?
Guelf and Ghibelline, Guelf also spelled Guelph, members of two opposing factions in German and Italian politics during the Middle Ages.
What did the Ghibellines believe?
Broadly speaking the Ghibellines backed the Holy Roman Empire, that amorphous medieval union of central European territories “neither holy, nor Roman, nor an empire” finally killed off by Napoleon. The Guelphs backed the power of the popes in the struggle for hegemony in the peninsula.
What did the black Guelphs believe in?
Now, White (Cerchi) and Black (Donati) Guelphs believed in two slightly different policies: the Whites defended the Pope, but did not preclude the return of the Holy Roman Emperor to rule over his lands in Italy, while the Blacks thought it essential that the Pope should rule by himself, without the influence or the …
Who did the Guelphs support?
Frederick’s supporters became known as Ghibellines, while the Lombard League (the medieval alliance formed in 1167 and supported by the pope) and its allies became known as Guelphs. After being defeated in the Battle of Legnano in 1176, Frederick recognized the full autonomy of the cities of the Lombard League.
What is the definition of Guelph?
/ gwɛlf / PHONETIC RESPELLING. noun. a member of the political party in medieval Italy and Germany that supported the sovereignty of the papacy against the German emperors: opposed to the Ghibellines. a member of a secret society in Italy in the early 19th century that opposed foreign rulers and reactionary ideas.
What is a white Guelph?
White and Black Guelphs By 1300, the Florentine Guelphs had divided into the Black and White Guelphs. The Blacks continued to support the Papacy, while the Whites were opposed to Papal influence, specifically the influence of Pope Boniface VIII.
Was Venice Guelph and Ghibelline?
neutral
Unlike the noble families, towns seldom had fixed party loyalties, although Milan, Florence, and Genoa were usually Guelph; Cremona, Pisa, and Arezzo were usually Ghibelline. Venice remained neutral.
What is a ghibellines?
Definition of Ghibelline : a member of an aristocratic political party in medieval Italy supporting the authority of the German emperors — compare guelf.