Note 275 — Book VII.

“This decision of Glanville,” observes Lord Littleton, “is very remarkable: as it shews the entire independence of the Law of England on the Canon and Civil Laws in his time.” (3 Litt. Hist. Hen. 2. p. 125.) When this doctrine was, in a subsequent period of our History, attempted to be overturned, it gave rise to the celebrated answer of the Barons recorded in our Statute Book.—Et omnes Comites et Barones unâ voce responderunt, quod nolunt leges Angliæ mutare, quæ hucusque usitatæ sunt et approbatæ. (Stat. of Merton. c. 9. See also 2 Inst. 96.) The Rule, thus memorably defended, has descended untouched to the present day.