During the struggles between papal and imperial followers (Guelphs and Ghibellines), the Montefeltro brothers and their descendants became leaders of the Ghibellines of the Marche and the Romagna while the Malatesta family took the lead of the Guelphs.

Buonconte I was succeeded by Montefeltrano II (1214-1255), and Guido I (1255-1286