John Balliol Biography

Birth of John de Balliol

Balliol claimed the throne through the senior line of descent from David of Huntingdon.

Forwards his candidacy for the Scottish throne to Edward I

Edward I sets up a committee to hear the Scottish claimants. 40 claimants to the Scottish throne are nominated by Robert I & 40 by Edward Balliol

Summoned by Edward I to meet him to settle the Scottish succession

Meets Edward I to help settle the Scottish succession

Crowned King of Scotland, St Andrews day

Court accepts Balliols claim to follow the primogeniture laws of England & Scotland

Crowned on the stone of destiny at Scone

Crowned on the stone of destiny at Scone

Edward I decides in favour of John Balliol

Edward I hands over the seisn of Scotland to Edward Balliol

Edward I renounces the Treaty of Brigham making John his vassal. Edward I decides in favour of John Balliol

Edward Balliol takes the oath of feality as King of Scotland to Edward I

Inaugurated King of Scotland on St Andrews Day

Balliol was inaugurated at Scone, ending the first Scottish interregnum.

Pays homage to Edward I at Newcastle

Pays homage to Edward I at Newcastle in the castle hall

The Scotish Parliament sets up a Committee to which John Balliol is answerable

Scotland makes an alliance with France. Edward I demands payment from the Scots to finance war with France

Scotland makes an alliance with France. Forms a military alliance with Philip IV. Edward I demands payment from the Scots to finance war with France. Agrees his son Edward will marry Philip IVs niece

Parliament creates a ruling council of 12

Edward I invades Scotland after John Balliol renounces allegiance & allies with France

Agrees his son Edward will marry Philip IVs niece

Edward I sacks Berwick as punishment for John Balliols treachery

Betrothed to Joan, eldest daughter of Charles of Valois, brother to the French King

Betrothed to Joan, eldest daughter of Charles of Valois, brother to the French King

Edward I sends John to Hereford and then to the Tower of London

Stripped of all Royal trappings. Earns the name "Toom Tabard"

Fails to appear at Berwick to stand trial, Edward I uses this to invade Scotland

Scotish Lords devastate Tynedale & Redesdale & reach as far as Hexham

The Earl of Surrey routes the Scottish army at the Battle of Dunbar and by 11th July Edinburgh Castle had fallen and John had surrendered. Defeated by King John who then declares himself King of Scotland

John Balliol surrenders to the English

Forced to abdicate, after this follows the 2nd interregnum, 1296-1306

Balliol was forced to renounce his kingship after Edward I's invasion.

John Balliol renounces his crown & Kingdom in front of Edward I. At Brechin Edward subjected John to the humiliation of having his royal regalia stripped from him

The Earl of Surrey routes the Scottish army at the Battle of Dunbar and by 11th July Edinburgh Castle had fallen and John had surrendered

Released in 1299 and leaves for his French estates where he died in 1313 blind and largely forgotten

Released in 1299 and leaves for his French estates where he died in 1313 blind and largely forgotten

Death of John Balliol, to future generations known as Toom Tabard, meaning empty coat

After his coronation Balliol rides to York & pays homage to Edward III

The Scots capture Berwick

The Scots capture Berwick

Lands at Kinghorn in Fife & marches towards Dunfermlin

Helped by Edward II defeats a Scottish army led by Mar during David IIs minority

Crowned King of Scotland. Balliols grip on the throne is so weak that he wears armour throughout his coronation

Claims the throne during the minority of David II after the Battle of Dupplin Muir

Forced to flee by the Earl of Moray & Sir Archibald Douglas, supporters of David Bruce

Succeeds as King of Scotland. Restored to the throne by Edward III but cedes most of southern Scotland in return

Agrees to pay homage to Edward III

The Scots draw up a draft Treaty agreeing to recognise the elderly and childless Edward Balliol as King, so long as David II would be his heir, however, David II rejects it

The Scots capture Newcastle

David II returns to Scotland & Edward goes into exile in England

The Scots capture Newcastle

Fails to establish his authority over the Scots & gives up his lands to Edward