Final answer:
In the 16th century, the price of books in England increased due to economic factors such as the influx of silver from the Americas and rising costs of land. This period of rising prices affected the population, especially the peasants.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the 16th century, specifically around 1515, the price of books in England increased due to various economic factors. One of the main factors was the influx of silver from the mines in the Americas, which led to rampant inflation in Europe, including England, known as the Price Revolution.
Additionally, the rising costs of land and stagnant wages contributed to the overall increase in prices. This period of economic change and rising prices affected the population, particularly the landless and jobless peasants.