or GABRES. See Gabres.

GUELPHS, or Guelfs, a celebrated faction in Italy, antagonists of the Gibelins. See Gibelins.

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 Frederick I.; and by others to that of his successor Frederick II. in the thirteenth century.

The name of Guelph is commonly said to have been formed from Welfe, or Welfo, on the following occasion: the emperor Conrad III. having taken the duchy of Bavaria from Welfe VI. brother of Henry duke of Bavaria, Welfe, 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 Guefls 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 Guelle, who lived at Piftoye; adding, that his brother, named Gibel, gave his name to the Gibelins. See the article Gibelins.