11 mars 1192 - War of the Guelfs and Ghibellines

Description:

Civil war within Italy between two ruling elite groups, Guelfs and Ghibellines for supremacy and rule over Italy. The Guelfs wanted allegiance to the papacy. The Ghibellines wanted an imperial rule. These are families of old nobility; military based. Led to the rise of the merchant class in response to the militaristic domination of power over an area that was a main trade centre. Lasted over a century