Definition
Edward Balliol (c. 1283 – 23 January 1364) was a Scottish nobleman who claimed the throne of Scotland and, with support from England, reigned intermittently as a pretender king from 1332 to 1336.
Overview
Edward was the eldest son of King John Balliol, who ruled Scotland from 1292 to 1296 before being deposed by King Edward I of England. After his family’s loss of the Scottish crown, Edward spent much of his early life in exile in England. In the early 1330s, during the ongoing Wars of Scottish Independence, he entered into an alliance with King Edward III of England, who provided military and financial backing for an invasion aimed at restoring the Balliol line.
In 1332, Edward and his English allies defeated the forces of the regent for the 13‑year‑old King David II at the Battle of Dupplin Moor. He was subsequently crowned at Scone on 24 September 1332, taking the title “King of Scotland.” His rule, however, was contested by the majority of the Scottish nobility, who supported David II. Edward’s authority was short‑lived; he was forced to abandon the throne after the Battle of Annan in December 1332 and fled to England.
Edward made several further attempts to regain the crown, including invasions in 1333 and 1335, but each effort failed to secure lasting control. By 1336, he abandoned his claim, receiving a pension from Edward III, and spent the remainder of his life in England, residing chiefly at his manor in Bolingbroke, Lincolnshire. He died in 1364, reportedly in poverty, and was buried at the Franciscan friary in York.
Etymology/Origin
- Edward is derived from the Old English personal name Ēadweard, composed of the elements ēad (“wealth, fortune”) and weard (“guardian, protector”).
- Balliol is a Norman‑French surname originating from the place name Bailleul in Picardy, France. The family descended from the French noble house of Balliol, which migrated to England and Scotland during the 12th century.
Characteristics
- Legitimacy Claim: As the son of the former King John Balliol, Edward asserted a hereditary right to the Scottish throne, positioning himself as the senior male descendant of the Balliol line.
- Political Alliances: His primary ally was King Edward III of England, whose support was motivated by the desire to weaken Scottish independence and expand English influence.
- Military Activity: Edward’s attempts to secure the crown involved multiple invasions employing English troops and Scottish supporters known as “the Disinherited,” nobles dispossessed by the Bruce dynasty.
- Short Reign: His actual time on the throne lasted only a few months in 1332; subsequent claims were largely titular and lacked effective governance.
- Later Life: After relinquishing his aspirations, Edward lived on an English pension, indicating his dependence on English patronage. He did not marry and left no legitimate heirs.
Related Topics
- John Balliol (father)
- King David II of Scotland (contemporary rival)
- Edward III of England (principal supporter)
- Wars of Scottish Independence (context of the conflict)
- Battle of Dupplin Moor (1332)
- Battle of Annan (1332)
- Treaty of Durham (1338, wherein Edward renounced his claim)
- House of Balliol (dynastic background)
- Scottish pretenders and claimants (broader phenomenon)