What is described are the conditions that led to the reformation of the Estates-General in France during the reign of Louis XVI for the first time in 175 years.
"wealthy landowners" were members of the aristocracy in Byzantine society since this aristocracy was composed a small elite. The shopkeepers and small-scale merchants constituted the poor majority.
I have no idea what book or story you are talking about, but based on my knowledge of Law... asking a person the same question over and over and cause a reaction in their fight or flight extinct, the person will start to become worried and they'll either start changing their answer or they'll break down completely. I'm guessing the when Hathorne asked the same question several times to Sarah, she started to get nervous.
I hope this kinda helped
They surrended after 33 hours of being constantly cannoned.
