Balliol, John, << BAYL yuhl, JON >> (1250?-1313?), was king of Scotland from 1292 to 1296. When the previous ruler of Scotland, 7-year-old Queen Margaret, died in 1290, Scotland was plunged into a crisis over who should inherit the throne. Thirteen people claimed the kingship, including Balliol and Robert Bruce, Lord of Annandale. Both men were descendants of David I, a king of Scotland during the 1100’s. The council in charge of Scotland’s government asked Edward I of England to decide. Edward chose Balliol. See Edward I.
Edward used Balliol as a puppet to control Scotland. He considered Balliol his subject and treated him in an insulting manner. In 1294, the Scots refused Edward’s demand to supply troops to fight against the French. Instead, Balliol signed an alliance treaty with France. Edward invaded Scotland in 1296 to punish the Scots for their disloyalty. After the English won the Battle of Dunbar, Balliol was forced to give up the throne. He died in France.
See also Bruce, Robert; Dunbar, Battles of; Scotland, History of (Struggles with England).
