Why did European monarchs became increasingly more powerful?

European monarchs became increasingly powerful due to the centralization of authority, which allowed them to consolidate control over their realms and reduce the influence of feudal lords. The rise of nation-states, fueled by conflicts such as the Hundred Years' War and the Reformation, further strengthened their positions as they built professional armies and established bureaucracies. Additionally, the accumulation of wealth from colonial expansion and trade provided monarchs with the resources needed to maintain their power and implement policies that benefited the central government.