No amount of special pleading can deny the reality of this.
He assisted in the reforms of special pleading at Westminster, and had a recognized place with Brougham and Lyndhurst in legal discussions in the House of Lords.
The author embarks on special pleading in favour of Earl Robert and Bishop Roger of Salisbury, but shows a certain liking for the personal character of Stephen, whose case he states with studious fairness.
The ardri desired to make the colony an Irish state tributary to the high-king; but on the special pleading of St Columba it was allowed to remain independent.