Question

pope gregory vii excommunicated henry iv after he refused to stop

starting nondefensive wars

taxing churches

working on sundays

installing his own bishops

Explanation:

Identify the historical conflict

The question asks why Pope Gregory VII excommunicated Henry IV. This conflict is a central event in medieval European history.

Analyze the Investiture Controversy

Using the Medieval Institutions knowledge point, we examine the power struggle between the papacy and the Holy Roman Empire. The core issue was lay investiture, the practice where secular rulers appointed local church officials.

Evaluate the options

• "starting nondefensive wars": Incorrect. While Henry IV engaged in military campaigns, this was not the direct cause of his excommunication by Gregory VII.
• "taxing churches": Incorrect. Although taxation of clergy was a recurring issue in medieval history, it was not the primary trigger for this specific dispute.
• "working on Sundays": Incorrect. This is a minor religious observance issue and not a matter of state-church power struggles.
• "installing his own bishops": Correct. Henry IV insisted on his traditional right to appoint (invest) bishops, directly defying Pope Gregory VII's reforms which banned lay investiture.

Formulate the final conclusion

Henry IV's refusal to stop appointing his own bishops led directly to his excommunication by Pope Gregory VII in 1076, marking a key moment in the Investiture Controversy.

Answer:

• starting nondefensive wars
• taxing churches
• working on Sundays
• installing his own bishops (Correct answer)