GUELPHS, or GUELFS, a celebrated faction in Italy, antagonists of the Gibelins. See GIBELIN.
The Guelphs and Gibelins filled Italy with blood and carnage for many years. The Guelphs stood for the Pope, against the emperor. Their rise is referred by some to the time of Conrad III. in the twelfth century; by others, to that of Frederic I.; and by others, to that of his successor Frederic II. in the thirteenth century.
The name of Guelph is commonly said to have been formed from Welf, or Welfo, on the following occasion: the emperor Conrad III. having taken the duchy of Bavaria from Welf VI. brother of Henry duke of Bavaria, Welf, assisted by the forces of Roger king of Sicily, made war on Conrad, and thus gave birth to the faction of the Guelphs.
Others derive the name Guelph from the German Wolff, on account of the grievous evils committed by that cruel faction: others deduce the denomination from that of a German called Guelse, who lived at Pistoyle; adding, that his brother, named Gibel, gave his name to the Gibelins. See (History of) ITALY.