A member of a faction originating in the German Welf family, who were dukes of Saxony and Bavaria. The Welfs were the traditional opponents of the Hohenstaufens in Germany and Italy (where they were known as Guelphs and the latter were known as the Ghibellines). In the 12th century the Guelph leader was Henry the Lion, Duke of Saxony and Bavaria, and he tended to support the papacy against the aspirations of the Holy Roman Emperors. Guelph support was in the major Italian towns and cities. Their rivals were the imperial party and their strength came mainly from the great aristocratic families. In local feuds, no matter what the cause, the antagonists came to associate themselves with one or other of the opposing families whose names continued to be used for many years after the original disputes were forgotten.