Community detection in the network of German princes in 1225: A case study

Abstract

In the context of historical research, clustering of different groups into warring factions can lead to a better understanding of how conflicts arise or can be avoided. Using a spin-glass-based community detection algorithm, we study the crisis of 1225 between the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire Frederick II and his son Henry VII, which almost led to a dissolution of the empire. Our main goal is to see how good this method is in detecting this rift when compared to the results of an analysis performed by one of the authors (Gramsch) using standard social balance theory applied to history.