Catholic church resisted efforts at reunification. By 800, Charlemagne ruled Western Europe. Pope Leo III crowned him the new Roman Emperor to protect Rome from the Byzantine army. To this day the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches remain separate.
Religion influence many cultures from law to entertainment. Singing is part of every culture but as Gordon notes, it was religion that originated singing, “For the first fifteen hundred years of the current era, the history of singing is inexorably tied with the history of the Christian church. Singing was such an important part of early Christian worship that the ritual and music developed together and became almost inseparable” (1). Religion also influenced the economy and politics as kings would often conflict with Popes over authority and lawmaking. During the Middle Ages such conflicts would escalate.
During the Middle Ages (900-1300) religion continued to exert a dominant influence over civilization and culture. Advances in architecture saw the construction of enormous cathedrals with vaulted ceilings and magnificent stained glass windows. During this time Europe orchestrated a series of eight Crusades to try to win back territories in the Holy Land that were under Muslim control. The Crusaders managed to win some lands like Jerusalem, but they were driven out of these lands eventually. Meantime, the practice
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