Valperga (novel)
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Valperga: or, the Life and Adventures of Castruccio, Prince of Lucca is an 1823 historical novel by the Romantic novelist Mary Shelley, set amongst the wars of the Guelphs and Ghibellines.
Title page from the second volume of Valperga
Guelphs and Ghibellines
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The Guelphs and Ghibellines were factions supporting the Pope and the Holy Roman Emperor in the Italian city-states of Central and Northern Italy during the Middle Ages. During the 12th and 13th centu
Valperga (novel)
…the Life and Adventures of Castruccio, Prince of Lucca is an 1823 historical novel by the Romantic novelist Mary Shelley, set amongst the wars of the Guelphs and Ghibellines (the latter of which she spelt "Ghibeline"). Mary Shelley's original title is now the subtitle; Valperga was selected by her father, William Godwin…
A 14th-century conflict between the militias of the Guelph and Ghibelline factions in the comune of Bologna, from the Croniche of Giovanni Sercambi of Lucca
Artist's conception of the defence of the Carroccio during the Battle of Legnano (1176), painted by Amos Cassioli (1832–1891)
The medieval towers of San Gimignano, built by rival aristocratic families as fortified residences
Battle of Montaperti, workshop of Pacino di Buonaguida