Editing John Balliol

{{Short description|King of Scots from 1292 to 1296}}
{{About||his father|John I de Balliol|the 1825 play|John Balliol (play)}}
{{Use British English|date=July 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2023}}
{{Infobox royalty
| name            = John Balliol
| succession      = [[List of Scottish monarchs|King of Scots]]
| image           = John, King of Scotland (seal).png
| caption         = Seal of King John
| reign           = 17 November 1292 –<br/>10 July 1296
| coronation      = 30 November 1292
| predecessor     = [[Margaret, Maid of Norway|Margaret]] (1290)
| successor       = [[Robert the Bruce|Robert I]] (1306)
| spouse          = [[Isabella de Warenne]]
| issue           = [[Edward Balliol]]
| house           = [[House of Balliol|Balliol]]
| father          = [[John I de Balliol]]
| mother          = [[Dervorguilla of Galloway]]
| birth_date      = {{circa|1249}}
| birth_place     = 
| death_date      = late 1314 (aged around 65)
| death_place     = [[Château de Hélicourt]], Picardy, France
| place of burial = prob. Hélicourt|
}}

'''John Balliol''' or '''John de Balliol'''<ref>[https://archive.org/stream/actisanddeidisi00henrgoog/actisanddeidisi00henrgoog_djvu.txt=false Hary, Blind. ''The Actes and Deidis of the Illustre and Vallyeant Campioun Schir William Wallace''.]</ref> ({{circa|1249}} – late 1314), known derisively as '''Toom Tabard''' (meaning 'empty coat'), was [[List of Scottish monarchs|King of Scots]] from 1292 to 1296. Little is known of his early life. After the death of [[Margaret, Maid of Norway]], Scotland entered an [[interregnum]] during which several [[competitors for the Crown of Scotland]] put forward claims. Balliol was chosen from among them as the new King of Scotland by a group of selected noblemen headed by King [[Edward I of England]].

Edward used his influence over the process to subjugate Scotland and undermined Balliol's personal reign by treating Scotland as a [[vassal]] of England. Edward's influence in Scottish affairs tainted Balliol's reign, and the Scottish nobility deposed him and appointed a council of twelve to rule instead. This council signed a treaty with France known as the "[[Auld Alliance]]".

In retaliation, Edward invaded Scotland, starting the [[Wars of Scottish Independence]]. After a Scottish defeat in 1296, Balliol abdicated and was imprisoned in the [[Tower of London]]. Eventually, Balliol was sent to his estates in France and retired into obscurity, taking no more part in politics. Scotland was then left without a monarch until the accession of [[Robert the Bruce]] in 1306. John Balliol's son [[Edward Balliol]] would later exert a claim to the Scottish throne against the Bruce claim during the minority of Robert's son [[David II of Scotland|David]].

== Name ==
[[File:Balliol arms.svg|thumb|Balliol arms: ''Gules an escutcheon voided Argent'']]

In [[Anglo-Norman language|Norman French]] his name was Johan de Bailliol;<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=O1oJAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA67 |last=Stevenson |first=Joseph |title=Documents illustrative of the history of Scotland, Volume 2 |year=1870}}</ref> in [[Middle Scots]] it was ''Jhon Ballioun'', and in Scottish Gaelic, ''Iain Bailiol''. In [[Scots language|Scots]] he was known by the nickname Toom Tabard, usually understood to mean "empty coat" in the sense that he was an ineffective king. Alternatively the word ''coat'' may refer to a [[coat of arms]]; either to the Balliol arms which are a plain shield with an orle, also known as an ''inescutcheon voided''<ref>{{cite book |last1=Hodgson |first1=John |last2=Hodgson-Hinde |first2=John |title=A history of Northumberland, in three parts |date=1832 |publisher=Printed by E. Walker |page=124 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AxYMAQAAMAAJ&q=arms+of+John+Balliol&pg=PA124 |access-date=2 December 2018 |language=en}}</ref> or because his arms were stripped from his [[tabard]] in public.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Young |first1=Alan |title=In the Footsteps of William Wallace: In Scotland and Northern England |date=2010 |publisher=The History Press |isbn=9780750951432 |page=74 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0b8SDQAAQBAJ&q=arms+of+John+Balliol+Toom+Tabard&pg=PT74 |access-date=2 December 2018 |language=en}}</ref>

== Early life ==
Little of Balliol's early life is known. He was born between 1248 and 1250 at an unknown location; possibilities include [[Galloway]], [[Picardy]], and [[Barnard Castle]], [[County Durham]].<ref name="ODNB">G. P. Stell, "John [John de Balliol] (c. 1249–1314)", ''Oxford Dictionary of National Biography'', Oxford University Press, Sept 2004; online edn, Oct 2005 [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/1209, accessed 25 July 2007].</ref> He was the son of [[John, 5th Baron Balliol]], Lord of Barnard Castle (and founder of [[Balliol College]], Oxford), and his wife [[Dervorguilla of Galloway]], daughter of [[Alan, Lord of Galloway]] and granddaughter of [[David, Earl of Huntingdon]] — the brother of [[William the Lion]].<ref name="dunbar115">Dunbar, Sir Archibald H., Bt., ''Scottish Kings – A Revised Chronology of Scottish History 1005–1625'', Edinburgh, 1899: p. 115</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9vL8CgAAQBAJ&q=john+balliol+death+1313+history&pg=PA75 |title=The Oxford Companion to British History |last1=Cannon |first1=John |last2=Crowcroft |first2=Robert |date=15 October 2015 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=9780191044816 |page=75 |language=en}}</ref> From his mother he inherited significant lands in Galloway and claim to lordship over the Gallovidians, as well as various English and Scottish estates of the Huntingdon inheritance; from his father he inherited large estates in England and France, such as [[Hitchin]], in [[Hertfordshire]].<ref name="DNB">{{Cite DNB |wstitle=Baliol, John de (1249-1315) |volume=03 |last=Mackay |first=Aeneas James George |author-link=Aeneas James George Mackay |pages=66-70 |short=1}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Huyshe |first1=Wentworth |title=The Royal Manor of Hitchins and Its Lords Harold and the Balliols |date=1906 |publisher=Macmillan |location=London |page=136 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9iw6AQAAMAAJ&dq=john+balliol+estates+in+England+and+France,+such+as+Hitchin,+in+Hertfordshire&pg=PA136 |access-date=9 January 2022}}</ref>

== Accession as King of Scots ==
[[File:John Scotland.jpg|thumb|right|The seal of John Balliol]]

In 1284 Balliol had attended a [[Parliament of Scotland|parliament]] at [[Scone, Scotland|Scone]], which had recognised [[Margaret, Maid of Norway]], as heir presumptive to her grandfather, [[King Alexander III]].<ref>''Foedera'', p 228</ref> Following the deaths of Alexander III in 1286 and Margaret in 1290, John Balliol was a [[Competitors for the Crown of Scotland|competitor]] for the [[List of Scottish monarchs|Scottish crown]] in the [[Great Cause]],<ref name=dunbar115/> as he was a great-great-great-grandson of [[David I of Scotland|David I]] through his mother (and therefore one generation further than his main rival [[Robert Bruce, 5th Lord of Annandale]], grandfather of [[Robert the Bruce]], who later became king), being senior in genealogical [[primogeniture]] but not in [[proximity of blood]]. He submitted his claim to the Scottish auditors with King [[Edward I of England]] as the administrator of the court, at [[Berwick-upon-Tweed]], on 6 June 1291.<ref name=dunbar116>Dunbar, Sir Archibald H., Bt., ''Scottish Kings – A Revised Chronology of Scottish History 1005–1625'', Edinburgh, 1899: p. 116</ref> The Scottish auditors' decision in favour of Balliol was pronounced in the Great Hall of [[Berwick Castle]] on 17 November 1292,<ref name=dunbar116/> and he was inaugurated accordingly [[List of Scottish monarchs|King of Scotland]] at Scone, 30 November 1292, [[St. Andrew's Day]].<ref name=dunbar115/>

Edward I, who had coerced recognition as Lord Paramount of Scotland, the feudal superior of the realm, steadily undermined John's authority. He demanded homage to be paid towards himself, legal authority over the Scottish king in any disputes brought against him by his own subjects, contribution towards the costs for the defence of England, and military support was expected in his war against France.  He treated Scotland as a feudal vassal state and repeatedly humiliated the new king. According to some English accounts such as the Lanercost Chronicle (whose legitimacy on this matter has been scrutinized by leading historians) the Scots soon tired of their deeply compromised king and the direction of affairs was taken out of his hands by the leading men of the kingdom, who appointed a council of twelve — in practice, a new panel of guardians — at [[Stirling]] in July 1295. They went on to conclude a treaty of mutual assistance with France — known in later years as the "[[Auld Alliance]]".<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sEV4zgXOJLsC&q=scotland+king+balliol&pg=PA117 |title=Scotland: The Story of a Nation |last=Magnusson |first=Magnus |date=2003 |publisher=Grove Press |isbn=9780802139320 |page=121 |language=en}}</ref>

== Abdication ==
In retaliation for Scotland's treaty with France, Edward I invaded, commenced the [[Wars of Scottish Independence]]. The Scots were defeated at [[Battle of Dunbar (1296)|Dunbar]] and the English took [[Dunbar Castle]] on 27 April 1296.<ref name=dunbar116/> John abdicated at [[Stracathro]], near [[Montrose, Angus|Montrose]], on 10 July 1296.<ref name=dunbar116/>

Balliol was imprisoned in the [[Tower of London]] until allowed to go to France in July 1299. When his baggage was examined at [[Dover]], the Royal Golden Crown and Seal of the Kingdom of Scotland, with many vessels of gold and silver, and a considerable sum of money, were found in his chests. Edward I ordered that the crown be offered to the shrine of [[St Thomas Becket]] at [[Canterbury]] and that the money be returned to Balliol for the expenses of his journey. But he kept the seal himself.<ref>''[[Foedera]]'', vol.1, part 2, p. 909</ref> Balliol was released into the custody of [[Pope Boniface VIII]] on condition that he remain at a papal residence. He was released around the summer of 1301 and lived the rest of his life on his family's ancestral estates at [[Hélicourt]], [[Picardy]].<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sEV4zgXOJLsC&q=scotland+king+balliol&pg=PA117 |title=Scotland: The Story of a Nation |last=Magnusson |first=Magnus |date=2003 |publisher=Grove Press |isbn=9780802139320 |language=en}}</ref>

Over the next few years, there were several Scottish rebellions against Edward (for example, in 1297 under [[William Wallace]] and [[Andrew Moray]]). When Wallace was chosen as commander, he claimed to act in the name of his king, John Balliol.<ref>{{Cite DNB |wstitle=Wallace, William (1272?-1305) |volume=59 |last=Mackay |first=Aeneas James George |author-link=Aeneas James George Mackay |pages=106-115 |short=1}}</ref> This claim came to look increasingly tenuous, as Balliol's position under nominal house-arrest meant that he could not return to Scotland nor campaign for his release, despite the Scots' diplomatic attempts in Paris and Rome. After 1302, he made no further attempts to extend his personal support to the Scots.<ref name="DNB"/>

== Death ==
Balliol died in late 1314 at his family's [[Château de Hélicourt|château at Hélicourt]] in France.<ref name=":0" /> On 4 January 1315, King Edward II of England, writing to King [[Louis X of France]], said that he had heard of the death of "Sir John de Balliol"<ref name=dunbar117>Dunbar, Sir Archibald H., Bt., ''Scottish Kings – A Revised Chronology of Scottish History 1005–1625'', Edinburgh, 1899: p. 117</ref> and requested the fealty and homage of [[Edward Balliol]] to be given by proxy.<ref name="ODNB" />

A John de Bailleul is interred in the church of St. Waast at [[Bailleul-Neuville]] in [[Normandy]].<ref name=dunbar117/>

Balliol was survived by his son, Edward Balliol, who later revived his family's claim to the Scottish throne, received support from the English, and had some temporary successes.<ref>{{cite odnb |id=1206 |title=Balliol, Edward |last=Webster |first=Bruce |year=2004}}</ref>

== Marriage and children ==
[[Image:SetonArmorialJohnBalliolAndWife.jpg|thumb|John Balliol and his wife]]
[[File:Edward Balliol, King of Scotland seal.png|thumb|Edward Balliol, King of Scotland seal]]

Balliol married around 9 February 1281 to [[Isabella de Warenne]], daughter of [[John de Warenne, 6th Earl of Surrey]].<ref name=dunbar115/>

It has been established that Balliol and de Warenne had at least one child, Edward Balliol, [[Pretender|Scottish pretender]].<ref name=dunbar115/> Other children linked to the couple include Henry Balliol, killed in the [[Battle of Annan]] on 16 December 1332,<ref>Dunbar, Sir Archibald H., Bt., ''Scottish Kings – A Revised Chronology of Scottish History 1005–1625'', Edinburgh, 1899: p. 118</ref> Agnes (or Maud or Anne) Balliol (who might actually have been his sister), who married [[Bryan FitzAlan, Lord FitzAlan]], and Margaret Balliol who married Sir John St Clere, knight, of [[East Grinstead|East Grinsted]], [[Sussex]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5kJbAAAAQAAJ&q=%22Margt.+d.+of+John+Bayloll%22&pg=PP11 |title=Visitation of Sussex, 1570}}</ref>

== Fictional portrayals ==
* ''[[John Balliol, An Historical Drama]]. In Five Acts'' (1825), play based on his life by [[William Tennant (poet)|William Tennant]].<ref>[http://www.electricscotland.com/history/men/tennant_william.htm William Tennant in ''"Biographical Dictionary of Eminent Scotsmen"'' by William Chambers]</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Scottish monarchs' family tree]]

== References ==
* {{cite book |last=See also: Beam |first=Amanda |title=The Balliol Dynasty, 1210–1364 |year=2008 |publisher=John Donald |location=Edinburgh}}
{{reflist|30em}}

== Sources ==
{{EB1911 poster|Baliol, John de}}
* {{citation |last=Bold |first=Valentina |title=James Hogg: a bard of nature's making |year=2007 |publisher=Peter Lang |isbn=9783039108978 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Zp3J3_1DhcIC}}
* [[Rymer, Thomas]], '' Foedera Conventions, Literae et cuiuscunque generis Acta Publica inter Reges Angliae'', London, 1745. (Latin) [https://archive.org/details/fderaconventione01ryme]
* {{Eminent Scotsmen|Baliol, John|1|116–121}}
* {{Cite DNB |wstitle=Baliol, John de (1249-1315) |volume=03 |last=Mackay |first=Aeneas James George |author-link=Aeneas James George Mackay |pages=66–70 |short=1}}

== External links ==
* {{Commons category-inline|John of Scotland|John Balliol}}
* [https://www.royal.uk/john-balliol-r-1292-1296 John Balliol] at the official website of the [[British monarchy]]
* {{NPG name|name=John de Balliol, King of Scots}}

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{{Pictish and Scottish Monarchs}}
{{English, Scottish and British monarchs}}
{{Authority control}}
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[[Category:1240s births]]
[[Category:1314 deaths]]

[[Category:House of Balliol|John]]
[[Category:People educated at Durham School]]
[[Category:Monarchs who abdicated|John Balliol]]
[[Category:Prisoners in the Tower of London]]
[[Category:Scottish people of the Wars of Scottish Independence]]
[[Category:Competitors for the Crown of Scotland]]
[[Category:13th-century Scottish monarchs]]