Guelf

Guelf, also spelled Guelph, is a historical term with several related meanings. It may refer to the House of Welf, a medieval and early modern European noble dynasty, or to the Guelfs, the faction in medieval Italy that supported the Papacy in its conflicts with the Holy Roman Empire. The spelling Guelf appears in older English texts; Guelph is the standard modern form in many languages.

Etymology and dynasty: The name derives from the Welf family, a prominent German noble house dating from the 9th century, with branches in Bavaria, Saxony, and northern Italy. Over the centuries, the Welfs produced rulers who would later give rise to the House of Brunswick-Lüneburg and, through the Hanover line, to the British royal family beginning with George I in 1714.

Guelphs and Ghibellines in Italy: From about the 12th to the 14th century, Guelfs and Ghibellines contended for influence in Italian city-states. Guelfs generally aligned with the Papacy and opposed the imperial authority of the Holy Roman Emperor, while Ghibellines supported the Emperor. The rivalry shaped municipal politics in cities such as Florence, Milan, and Genoa, and in Florence the Guelfs later split into White and Black factions.

Legacy: The term Guelf persists in historical and genealogical contexts and is used to denote supporters of papal authority in medieval Europe. While the political factions faded by the 15th century, the Welf lineage continued to influence European dynastic history, including the ascent of the Hanoverian kings to the British throne.