Final answer:
John Shakespeare's initial application for a coat of arms may have been turned down due to insufficient social standing, among other reasons. During the Enlightenment, low levels of literacy and a lack of leisure time hindered the involvement of the lower socioeconomic classes in print culture. In the fourteenth century, travel was challenging due to the high costs and limited transport options.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question posed pertains to why John Shakespeare's initial application for a coat of arms was turned down. While specific historical records may not provide a direct answer, generally such applications would have been denied for reasons such as insufficient social standing, lack of financial resources, political opposition, or incomplete documentation. John Shakespeare, the father of William Shakespeare, was an ambitious man seeking to rise in social rank, and in the context of the period, a coat of arms was a symbol of gentility and respectability.
As to the obstacles for those on the lower end of the socioeconomic ladder participating in the print culture during the Enlightenment, low levels of literacy and a lack of leisure time were significant factors. Printed materials were becoming more available, but the ability to engage with them was still limited for the working classes, who had little time or education. Regarding travel in the fourteenth century, the primary factor that made it difficult compared to today was the high cost and limited modes of transportation. Long-distance travel was rare and often perilous, with only the wealthy and adventurous undertaking such journeys unless it was for a pilgrimage, trade, or war.