Guelphs and Ghibellines in Tuscany

To undestand the precise significance of these terms, one must consider the local politics and the special conditions of each individual Tuscan province and town. Thus, in Florence, a family quarrel between the Buondelmonti and the Amidei, in 1215, led traditionally to the introduction of “Guelph” and “Ghibelline” to mark off the two parties that henceforth kept the city divided.