How was Christianity a unifying force in the middle ages?

Answer 1

First Christianity was brought to each nation's kings. The king would convert from pagan to Christian. Once the king and his court were officially Christian then Christianity would be imposed upon the population. How it was unifying was that it was the only religion permitted within it's sphere of influence. Clergy would have close ties to royalty and noble. This would enable the kings of each country to impose it's will through the church. Likewise the church would influence the king who would impose law accordingly. Unification was never actually complete however. Kings fought kings and each would have their own bishops those bishops having direct communication with Rome. However often a king would not go to war without the pope's permission. Charles I (Charlemagne) was the first of many Holy Roman Emperors who imposed rule upon most but not all of Europe. He ruled with the blessing and cooperation of the pope. In a sense, the Holy Roman Emperors were the pope's enforcers. Bottom line in all of this is that if you were anyone or wanted to be someone or just plain wanted to remain alive you needed to be Christian.

Answer 2

The Roman Catholic Church was ruled by a single pope, which brought Western European Christians under one religious leader.

Answer 3

Multiple sets of beliefs

Answer 4

It was not.

Answer 5

true!