King john balliol abdicated at montrose

July 8th , 1296

John Balliol (c. 1249 – late 1314), known derisively as Toom Tabard (meaning “empty coat” – coat of arms), was King of Scots from 1292 to 1296.

Little is known of his early life.

Scotland entered an interregnum

After the death of Margaret, Maid of Norway, Scotland entered an interregnum during which several competitors for the Crown of Scotland put forward claims.

new King of Scotland

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.

King Edward I of England Influence

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.

Tower of London

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.

Robert the Bruce

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.

More From This Day

calendar 1930

Bennie Railplane

July 08, 1930

calendar 1889

Last official bare knuckle title fight

July 08, 1889

calendar 1822

Sir Henry Raeburn, died

July 08, 1822

calendar 1819

Sir Francis McClintock, born

July 08, 1819

calendar 1914

Government of Ireland Bill enacted

July 08, 1914

calendar 1808

Bernard (Barney) Hughes, born

July 08, 1808

calendar 1790

Forth and Clyde Canal Opened

July 08, 1790

calendar 1730

Robert Edgeworth, former MP, dies

July 08, 1730

calendar 1642

Owen Roe O'Neill

July 08, 1642

calendar 1249

King Alexander I I, died

July 08, 1249

Related Countries

blog Scotland

WW1 posters

WW1 posters

blog Scotland

ladies from hell

ladies from hell

blog Scotland

great highland bagpipes

Scottish Great Highland Bagpipes

blog Scotland

scottish small pipes

scottish small pipes

calendar Scotland

Henry McLeish resigned as Scotlands First Minister

November 08, 2001

calendar Scotland

Naomi Mitchison, prolific Scottish writer, died

January 11, 1999

calendar Scotland

Election for the new Scottish Parliament

May 06, 1999

calendar Scotland

Scottish Parliament on The Mound, Edinburgh

July 01, 1999

No related content found.