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John BalliolKing of Scotland from 1292 to 1296
Country:
 Great Britain |
Content:
John Balliol Biography
John Balliol was born in 1250 in Chateau Galliard, Normandy, France. He was the youngest son of John Balliol and his wife Dervorgilla, the daughter and heir of Lord Galloway. John inherited the Balliol lands in England and France in 1278 and added Galloway to his possessions in 1290.
Claim to the Scottish Throne
In the same year, the heiress to the Scottish throne, Margaret, the Maid of Norway, died, and John Balliol became one of the 13 claimants to the crown. He immediately declared himself the rightful heir to the Scottish throne, presenting clear justifications for his claims. His mother was the daughter of Margaret, the elder daughter of David, Earl of Huntingdon, who was the brother of Kings Malcolm IV and William I.
His main competitor for the throne was Robert Bruce, the grandfather of King Robert I Bruce. The English King Edward I acquired Scottish baronies in Norham, Northumberland, and insisted on being recognized as the overlord of Scotland as a mediator between the claimants. The court of 104 commissioners deliberated on the claims of the competitors for over a year, but Balliol's clear statement of primogeniture ultimately prevailed. Edward I confirmed the decision on November 17, 1292, and Balliol was crowned in Scone on November 30, after paying a feudal visit to Edward in Newcastle on December 26.
Rebellion and Captivity
However, John Balliol soon showed disobedience. When Edward demanded military aid from Scotland for his planned war in Gascony in June 1294, Scotland responded by entering into a mutual assistance agreement with France. When Edward sent an army to Gascony in January 1296, the Scots raided northern England. Edward reacted swiftly, capturing the castle of Berwick on March 30. The castle surrendered to the English king, and John handed over his kingdom to Edward at Montrose. He was unarmed and conducted himself nobly and dignifiedly at the ceremony, for which he later earned the nickname "Toom Tabard."
John was imprisoned in the Tower of London until July 1299 when he was released as a result of papal intervention. After his release, he settled in Normandy.
