What Was the Nature of the Relationship Between the Crown

What was the nature of the relationship between the Crown and the merchant class during the mid-1500s?

A) The Crown created small-scale societies within its ranks to be managed by merchants.
B) The merchant class became the subject of increased legal sanctions imposed by the Crown.
C) The merchant class supported the Crown in return for the creation of a stable legal system.
D) The Crown decreased its demands on the merchant class.