What made foreign goods more expensive and northern goods more competitive?

Describe the technology advancements that lead to explorers being able to sail great distances. [[ps: doesn't explain where. i am only speculating it's in europe.

Read the excerpt from sir gawain and the green knight. when they had washed well, they went to sit at the table, the most famous knights nearest the top, as was proper, and guenever, in high spirits, was seated in the middle of them, in the arrangement of the famous table, with them arrayed around her, fine silk, furthermore, in a canopy over her, of toulouse red, and many tharsian tapestries embroidered and set with the finest of jewels that would have cost a great deal if someone had tried to buy them. the most beautiful there was the queen, flashing her gray eye. no one had ever seen anyone lovelier in his day. based on the excerpt, what conclusion can readers draw about guenever? she treats people with compassion. she is admired for her intelligence. she feels uncomfortable in crowds. she is held in high esteem.

When did the us congress declare war on the confederate states?