The Holy See vs The Holy Roman Empire.
The Guelph vs Ghibelline conflict initially arose regarding whether secular rulers or the pope had the authority to appoint bishops and abbots. The wars kept Italy divided and devastated by civil war between 1125–1392.
The Guelph vs Ghibelline conflict initially arose regarding whether secular rulers or the pope had the authority to appoint bishops and abbots. The wars kept Italy divided and devastated by civil war between 1125–1392.
The Guelphs and Ghibellines originated in Germany, in the rivalry between the House of Welf (Bavaria) and the House of Hohenstaufen (Swabia). The Hohenstaufen (Holy Roman Empire) faction became known as the Ghibellines and the Welf (Supporting the Papacy) as the Guelphs.
Guelphs tended to come from wealthy mercantile families, whereas Ghibellines were predominantly those whose wealth was based on agricultural estates. The conflict ended in a stalemate but the Guelphs did manage to overthrow the German imperial power in Italy for 250 years.
Today Italian cities still use the Guelph and Ghibelline flags in their coat of arms and civic flags. By their insignia you can figure out which faction the cities had allied themselves with. Some cities would also change their allegiances.
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