Blog #3: Religion and War

Religion and war were directly intertwined in the Middle Ages. Crusaders fought over holy land with each side believing they were fighting for God. In “The Song of Roland,” Charlemagne and his men were fighting for Christianity. Their quest is to convert any pagan into a Christian. When a man such as Roland is fighting in a war where he very well may die, religion offers consolation. These men, especially Roland, are willing to die for their king and for God. One reason these men are willing to die in battle is the guarantee of salvation. Archbishop Turpin tells the fighting men that he will grant absolution and the men who die will become martyrs. They will be remembered for their sacrifice and their courage. I agree with the critics who view Roland as a Christian martyr who is willing to sacrifice himself and his men. It reinforces his loyalty to his king and to his God.
Religion plays an important in role Roland’s life. Roland’s sword “Durendal” contains relics such as Saint Peter’s tooth, the blood of Saint Basile, and some of the robe worn by Saint Mary. Having these relics within the hilt of the sword gives Roland a reminder of the religion he is so willing to fight for. During tough times, it probably provides courage and motivation for him to continue fighting. He values his sword’s relics so much that he tries to destroy it so it cannot be used by the pagans. This gives the audience some idea of Roland’s dedication to Christianity. The appearance of the archangels at the end of the poem reinforces the link between religion and war. These men are fighting and dying for God. Then the archangels appear and prolong daytime so Charlemagne has more time to avenge the death of Roland and his men. This proves that God is on their side and that they are indeed fighting for the right side and with God’s help they will win.
“The Song of Roland” provided entertainment for the Crusaders. The lengthy death scene shows how valiant it is to die for what one is fighting for. This is something the Crusaders would want to remember as they are about to die on the battlefields themselves. This epic poem may console them in their last minutes of life just as religion did for Roland.