Final answer:
The increasing power of European monarchs can be attributed to centralization of power, wealth, and the shift in power to the merchant class.
Step-by-step explanation:
The increasing power of European monarchs can be attributed to several factors. One such factor was the centralization of power, which involved the rise of strong central governments and the reduction of the authority of the nobility. In countries like France, royal bureaucrats replaced vassals and church officials, and the monarchy gained control over more territory. This consolidation of power allowed monarchs to have more resources and authority.
Another factor was the wealth of the monarchs. Wealthier monarchs could afford to hire more soldiers to defend their countries in times of war. This increased military power gave them an advantage and contributed to their ability to maintain their rule.
Additionally, the death of many members of the clergy during the Black Death made monarchs more dependent on the merchant class, which led to the rising prominence of the merchant class and a shift in power away from traditional landed elites.