True or false?
european society in the 1400s was based on strict social heirarchy, and few people rose above the social position of their birth.

This is more or less true, however, there were always exceptions. While the social system in Europe wasn't as rigid as was India's caste system, where you stayed in the same caste from birth to death, it was difficult, nevertheless, to move between the social circles. If you were born a peasant it wasn't very likely you would become a noble later in life. All the different combinations you can imagine were also quite difficult to achieve.