John Balliol

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 asked 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 include forward claims. Balliol was chosen from among them as the new King of Scotland by a chain of selected noblemen headed by King Edward I of England.

Edward used his influence over the process to subjugate Scotland in addition to undermined Balliol's personal reign by treating Scotland as a vassal of England. Edward's influence in Scottish affairs tainted Balliol's reign, as living as the Scottish nobility deposed him and appointed a Council of Twelve to control 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 quoted 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.

Death

John died in slow 1314 at his family's château at Hélicourt in France. 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' and requested the fealty and homage of Edward Balliol to be condition by proxy.

A John de Bailleul is interred in the church of St Waast at Bailleul-sur-Eaune in Normandy. This may or may non be the Scottish king.

John was survived by his son Edward Balliol, who later revived his family's claim to the Scottish throne, received guide from the English, and had some temporary successes.