Pronunciation: [ɡˈɛlfz] (IPA) 
The word "Guelphs" is spelled with a "g-u-e" at the beginning, which is pronounced with a "g" sound followed by a "w" sound, similar to the word "guess." The "e-l" in the middle is pronounced with a short "e" sound, and the "p-h" is silent. The final "s" is pronounced with an "s" sound. The word refers to a political faction in medieval Italy and is often used today to describe supporters of the ruling monarch.
The term "Guelphs" refers to a political faction or party that emerged in medieval Italy during the 12th and 13th centuries. It originated in the city of Florence and later spread to other Italian city-states like Milan, Bologna, and Genoa. The Guelphs represented the faction that supported the authority and rule of the papacy, particularly the Holy Roman Empire led by the Pope.
The Guelphs derived their name from the House of Welf, a German noble family that had close ties with the papacy. They consistently opposed the Ghibellines, a rival faction that supported the Holy Roman Emperor and sought a centralized secular authority. The Guelphs advocated for a decentralized political structure and the preservation of the independent city-states.
The Guelphs were characterized by their allegiance to the Catholic Church, a strong belief in papal authority, and a desire to maintain their city-state's autonomy. Their political agenda also involved thwarting the ambitions of the Holy Roman Emperor, who aimed to assert control over the Italian city-states.
The conflict between the Guelphs and Ghibellines often sparked violent struggles, leading to factional wars and political instability across Italy. These hostilities highlighted the ongoing power struggle between the papacy and the secular authority and had a lasting impact on the political landscape of Italy. Eventually, the Guelphs gained control in some city-states, but their influence waned in the 14th century with the emergence of new political forces and the decline of the Holy Roman Empire.
The word "Guelphs" originates from the name of an Italian political faction known as the "Guelfi" or "Welfs". The term "Guelfi" is derived from the Germanic name "Welf" or "Welfen", which traces its roots to the House of Welf, a prominent noble family in medieval Europe. The House of Welf had extensive influence in the German region of Bavaria and later became influential in Italian politics during the Middle Ages. The term "Guelfi" or "Welfs" was primarily used to refer to those who supported the Papacy in its struggles against the Holy Roman Empire, particularly the faction supporting the Empress Matilda during the Investiture Controversy in the 11th and 12th centuries.
