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The name of a distinguished princely family in Italy, originally German, and re-transported into Germany in the eleventh century, still, however retaining large possessions in Italy. Welf, son of Isenbrand, Count of Altorf, one of the vassals of Charlemagne, is said to have been the first to bear the name. It still continues in the two branches of the House of Brunswick-the ducal and the royal, to which latter the reigning family of Britain belongs. After the battle of Weinsberg, founght in 1140, against the Waiblingens (Ghibellines), where the name of the head of the house was given as a rallying cry or watchword to his followers, the term became gradually extended to all the members of that faction in Italy which aimed at national independence and supported the pope, while that of Ghibelline was given to the supporters of the emperors in their endeavor to subjugate Italy to Germany. The contest lasted for nearly 300 years, desolating both countries. Latterly the term was applied to a supporter of democratic principles, and that of Ghibelline to an upholder of aristocracy. The terms fell into disuse towards the end of the fifteenth century.