LEARNING INTENTIONS• Describe key events from John Balliol’s time as King

of Scotland

• Describe ways that Balliol’s time as king was undermined by King Edward and other people

After the Great Cause, John Balliol was selected as King of Scotland. His time as king would be

difficult, undermined by many different people and ultimately ending in failure.

John Balliol officially became Scotland’s king on

St Andrew’s Day (30 November) 1292 at a ceremony in Scone.

However one of his first acts as king was to swear loyalty to King Edward of England. He was forced to travel to Newcastle to do

this.

The Scots had hoped that Edward would not enforce

his overlordship once they had a king. They were

wrong.

Although Alexander III had also done this for his land in England, Balliol’s

oath was to cover all of his lands, including Scotland.

One role that a king had was in settling legal disputes between different people.

King John made numerous decisions. However when

people disagreed they appealed to Edward, undermining Balliol’s power and influence.

Only a week after Balliol became king. A burgess

(politician) of Berwick appealed to Edward about a

decision made by Balliol.

Edward forced Balliol to change his verdict, a

complete humiliation for a king. He also forced Balliol to

admit the Treaty of Birgham no longer stood.

Edward also undermined Balliol in other ways.

He forced the Scottish king to have an Englishman,

Master Thomas of Hunsingore as his new Chancellor (and to call him Treasurer, following

English and not Scots law).

The clearest case of Balliol’s weakness was the Macduff Case. A Scot who had his land removed (Macduff)

appealed to Edward.

In 1293 Edward embarrassed King John by forcing him to travel to England to explain

his verdict. When John protested, Edward threatened

to confiscate Scottish land and castles.

King John was also facing problems from amongst

Scots nobles.

The losing candidates in the Great Cause –

especially the Bruce family – were still angry

and limiting (or simply not giving) their support to the

Scottish king.

Edward’s constant demands were causing anger in Scotland – this

became a crisis because of events involving France.

France was England’s real enemy and the two

countries were in a dispute over land (over the French

region of Gascony). By 1294, Edward had decided

to attack them.

King Edward, treating the Scots like his own

country and army, ordered them to join the

fight against France.

King John, along with other barons and

their armies, were to go to England and

prepare for war with France.

Attacking France was unpopular in Scotland

because:

• It treated Scotland as simply an English

region• France was Scotland’s

main trading partner and the two side had

good relations• Scots nobles were to pay

tax to England to fund the war

The Scots finally resisted the English demands. The

Community of the Realm appointed 12 new Guardians.

The Guardians sent representatives to France to

reach a deal to oppose Edward. They agreed a deal to

attack England and marry Balliol’s son into the French

royal family.

The Treaty of Paris between Scotland and

France was signed on 23 February 1296. It became

known as the Auld Alliance.

Some historians are unsure what role Balliol played in this. However

when Edward heard about the deal he was furious and planned a brutal

revenge.