The Catholic Church influenced medieval European politics through bishops advising leaders, owning vast lands, and the pope's power to excommunicate kings.
The Catholic Church had a significant influence on politics in medieval Europe through various means. The correct options are:
b. Bishops advised local leaders: Bishops and other church officials often played advisory roles to local rulers, providing counsel on both spiritual and temporal matters.
d. The church owned large amounts of land: The Catholic Church was a major landowner in medieval Europe. It possessed extensive land holdings, giving it economic power and influence over local rulers.
e. The pope was able to excommunicate kings: The pope, as the head of the Catholic Church, had the authority to excommunicate rulers, including kings. This power could have serious political consequences, as excommunication could lead to a loss of legitimacy and support among the people.
Options a and c are not accurate in the context of how the Catholic Church influenced politics in medieval Europe. Local kings typically did not live in monasteries, and the church did not hold elections for political leaders in the same way modern democracies do.