Final answer:
Feudal lords were the rulers that were unable to establish a strong central authority and controlled few royal lands to use as a base of power.
Step-by-step explanation:
The rulers that were unable to establish a strong central authority and controlled few royal lands to use as a base of power were Feudal lords.
In feudalism, power was decentralized and local lords held authority over their own lands. They had limited control over their vassals and relied on them for support and military service. Unlike absolute monarchs who had centralized power and control over their territories, feudal lords had fragmented power and controlled smaller areas.
For example, during the Middle Ages in Europe, feudal lords dominated regions and had their own castles, armies, and sources of income, but their authority was limited compared to absolute monarchs.