What did the European monarchs try to do in the 15 and 16 hundreds?

In the 15th and 16th centuries, European monarchs sought to consolidate power and establish stronger centralized states, often diminishing the influence of the nobility and local authorities. They pursued overseas exploration and colonization to expand their empires, acquire wealth, and spread Christianity. Additionally, many monarchs engaged in dynastic marriages and alliances to secure political stability and territorial claims, while also navigating the complex religious conflicts arising from the Protestant Reformation. This period marked a significant shift towards absolute monarchy in several regions, exemplified by figures like Louis XIV of France.