Final answer:
Successful rulers during the 13th and 14th centuries strengthened their positions by creating more centralized governments, hiring mercenaries through amassed wealth, and utilizing taxation systems to finance military advancements and maintain control over their territories.
Step-by-step explanation:
Successful rulers in the 13th and 14th centuries strengthened their position through a variety of strategies. They worked towards centralizing power by restructuring local government to replace vassals and church officials with royal bureaucrats. This built a foundation for a stronger central government.
For example, starting with King Phillip II, French monarchs increased their control over lands and ensured these were managed by salaried royal appointees rather than vassals who might challenge their power.
Being wealthy was another significant advantage, as it allowed monarchs to hire mercenaries to defend their territories. Economic stability provided the means to maintain larger armies and, consequently, to have greater influence and authority. The 15th century brought further consolidation as countries with centralized governments and effective taxation systems could afford to invest in military development and expansion.
In some regions, local leaders such as the castle lords fortified their estates, raised armies, and exerted their power by demanding resources from local populations, which, while challenging central authority, also showcased a form of emergent regional power. Despite various challenges, including the Plague and political conflict, some regions used these tumultuous times to rebuild and reinforce their governance structures.