Question

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read the passage.
from ivanhoe by sir walter scott
in that pleasant district of merry england which is watered by the river don, there extended in ancient times a large forest, covering the greater part of the beautiful hills and valleys which lie between sheffield and the pleasant town of doncaster. the remains of this extensive wood are still to be seen at the noble seats of wentworth, of wamcliffe park, and around rotherham. here haunted of yore the fabulous dragon of wantley, here were fought many of the most desperate battles during the civil wars of the roses, and here also flourished in ancient times those bands of gallant outlaws, whose deeds have been rendered so popular in english song. such being our chief scene, the date of our story refers to a period towards the end of the reign of
refer to the passage to answer this question.
what does the author mean when he writes that the nobles had
esumed their ancient license in its utmost extent\?
the nobles had again sought to make themselves as powerful as possible
the nobles had again sought to unite with nobles from other nations.
the nobles had again sought to pay homage and give respect to the king
the nobles had again sought to share their power and wealth with the peasants.

Explanation:

The phrase "resumed their ancient license in its utmost extent" implies the nobles reclaimed their old, unrestricted power. "License" here means unregulated authority, so they sought maximum power as they had in earlier times. The other options contradict this: uniting with foreign nobles, respecting the king, and sharing power with peasants do not align with reclaiming unrestricted ancient authority.

Answer:

The nobles had again sought to make themselves as powerful as possible