Guelphs and Ghibellines

Guelphs and Ghibellines is a wargame covering three climatic battles in Italy in the XIII century. That period saw the continuation of the long struggle for hegemony in Italy, by the two opposing factions called Guelphs (supporters of the Pope, at least theoretically) and Ghibellines (supporters of the Emperor). This distinction was often just only a pretext and more relevant political, economic or familial interests were hidden under the struggle. It was not uncommon to find a city or a family siding with the Guelphs because the competitor was Ghibelline or vice versa.

Guelphs and Ghibellines simulates the traditional clashes between 13th century armies with an original system which is both simple and accurate, allowing to reproduce typical tactics of the battle of the era, and focusing on progressive combat fatigue and loss of cohesion of formations on the battlefield. Cavalry remains the Queen of the battlefield, but the Italian communal infantry (the best in its period) manages to have a sound impact on the outcome of the fight.

The Battles: Montaperti 1260: The Arbia colored in red; Benevento 1266: The twilight of the Hohenstaufen; Campaldino 1289: The Saturday of St. Barnaba.

• Two map 22" x 34"
• Three countersheets
• Two cards with the game tables
• Rules and Scenarios booklet
• Two 6-sided dice