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✧ Mary asked them by what authority they could proceed? “By the authority of our commission, and the common law of England,” was the reply. But said she, “You make laws at your pleasure, where unto I have no reason to submit myself; and if you proceed by the common law of England, you must produce precedents of like cases, for as much as that law dependeth much on cases and custom.” The civilians, finding themselves baffled by the keen rejoinders of the lonely captive in her sick-chamber, told her “she was wandering into vain digressions,” and demanded “whether she would appear to answer?” alluding to their commission. “Your commission,” repeated Mary, “is founded on a recent law, framed expressly for my destruction, and my heart is still too full of courage to derogate from the kings of Scotland, my progenitors, by owning the authority of the Crown of England.”  — Agnes Strickland, The Life of Mary Stuart: Queen of Scotland