Black Guelfs

medieval Italian political faction

Also known as: Blacks, Neri

Learn about this topic in these articles:

In Florence: The early period
…policy was embraced by the Blacks (Neri; the rich merchants), the latter by the Whites (Bianchi; the lesser citizens).
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In Italy: Florence in the 14th century
So in 1302 the “Black” Guelfs, in alliance with Pope Boniface VIII, succeeded in expelling the “Whites.” Among the White Guelfs at this time was Dante (1265–1321), who had held public office. Doomed to spend the rest of his life in exile, he wrote La commedia (c. 1308–21), later named…
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In Dante: Dante’s intellectual development and public career
…into a party of “Blacks,” led by Corso Donati, and a party of “Whites,” to which Dante belonged. The Whites gained the upper hand and exiled the Blacks.
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In Corso Donati
…political faction known as the Blacks (Neri). He was master of Florence from 1301 to 1308.
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