Marks of Allegiance in the Coats of Arms of Florentines of the 13th Century

In articles and studies, dedicated to the heraldry of medieval Italy, we can see statements, that particular elements of coats of arms symbolized allegiance to one of warring factions - either guelphs of ghibellines. Most of the authors of these statements don't consider regional features of this struggle, as well as local traditions, which affected personal coats of arms. The, most apparent example of this influence is Florence, where conflict between guelphs and ghibelliens has reached its climax in the middle of the 13th century.