After repeated Muslims strikes, only 1,000 Christians defenders were left standing. Despite having 40,000 people, the Muslims were afraid to attack the last of the Crusaders. The Muslims did advance eventually, and Roland claimed that a wounded archbishop single-handedly killed 400 Muslims before dying. Roland too is killed after fending off 400 Muslims himself. Charlemagne then sent an army of Christians commanded by Marsilie to defeat the Muslims force.

Marsilie’s soldiers were defeated, and they lost 20,000 men. Consequently, Marsilie handed Spain over to the Muslim commander, who vowed to defeat Charlemagne. Charlemagne returned to the battlefield, where he found Roland’s body and lamented his death. Embittered by the loss, Charlemagne buries the 20,000 slain Christians, and promises that his kingdom will enact revenge. 

Charlemagne had an army of 335,000 men against the massive Arab force of 3.5 million. The Arriving Muslims come on 4,000 ships with thousands of people on each ship. It seemed impossible to defeat the waves of attackers, but God intervened to save Charlemagne and France. The Arabs fled and Charlemagne gained control of all of Spain. 100,000 Muslims in Spain converted and Marsilie died. 

Furthermore, the trial of Ganelon began and he and 29 of his relatives were executed. An angel told Charlemagne that he had another battle to win against the infidels. 

The poem “Song of Roland” was a call to war against Islam, and was used during the Crusades in the 12th, 13th, and 14th centuries. The poem was supposed to be about pride, death, and sacrifice. 

The “Song of Roland,” was a poem written sometime around 1100, that tells the story of a band of crusaders fighting the Muslims conquers in Spain. The poem is a call to confrontation with Islam, and retained its popularity as the Crusades continued. At the start of the poem, a  Christian named Ganelon betrays Charlemagne by divulging to the Muslims a way to attack the undefended rear of their army. The Muslim king and Ganelon swear an oath and the king pays Ganelon. After this, Charlemagne appoints a formidable leader, Roland to lead the army. 

As 400,000 Muslims are approaching, Roland’s army sounds thousands of trumpets, but he is not scared. Oliver tells Roland to sound the warning three times to Charlemagne, who refuses to retreat because he wants to preserve French honor and his own honor. The poem says that 20,000 Franks defeated a wave of 100,000 Muslims, then 7,000 trumpets announce the second wave of Muslim attackers. Outraged by the assault, Roland tells his men that they will not let Ganelon’s treason go unpunished. 

All 12 of Roland’s peers are killed one by one, but each death is avenged with Muslim blood. The Muslims began to run and the Franks kept pursuing them, ultimately killing 4,000 of them. Only 60 Franks remained alive, so Roland decides to blow the trumpet one final time, and the Christians attack. The small band of remaining Franks send the massive Muslim army running. However, Oliver dies. 

The “Song of Roland” was performed frequently throughout the late Middle Ages during plays on stages. It was immensely popular during this time and was a battle cry for the Christian armies fighting against Muslim invaders. 

Many well-known Catholic hymns were written during the Early Middle Ages. Congregations memorized these hymns by singing them in church and teaching them to children at a young age. The song “Joys of Paradise” was penned during this time and its lyrics spoke of the coming jubilation of the kingdom of heaven for faithful Christians, but also the darkness of evil men and the singing of the angels in heaven. 

In “Hymns from Cathemerinon,” the writer admits that age has changed his perspective on faith and he sees the futility of earthly accomplishments since death will annul them. Every sinner will have a chance of redemption, the author states, and that light symbolizes ethical purity because it conquers darkness. God also knows all secrets and foresees everything that will happen on earth. 

In “Vesper Hymn to the Virgin,” the author Fortunatus writes that the Virgin Mary will change men’s grief to glory when she lifts up her voice to Christ. He praised the Trinity and explained that Mary, who was without sin, guards the golden door of heaven of which Christ is the cornerstone. Boldly, Fortunatus declared that Christ gave an ultimate victory to Christians when he died on the cross and rose from the dead.

In 775, Paul the Deacon wrote the “Hymn for the Lauds” which proclaims that John the Baptist, the Virgin Mary, the prophets, patriarchs, apostles, martyrs, and angels will all intercede to God for us. It instructs us to pray for your King, so that God can help guide him to do His will.

There is a constant theme in Early Medieval Literature that God is sovereign and that Rome’s gods are not, rather they are demons in disguise. Another regularity is that the world’s blessings are not worth pursuing so we should instead focus on God’s blessings only, and also states that the Church will last till the end of time.