Edward Balliol and King Edward III
Ironically, Edward Balliol was the son of defeated King of Scotland John Balliol, whom at one point led an army in rebellion against England's King Edward I, ancestor of King Edward III. However, Edward Balliol recognized his genetic potential to obtain the Scottish crown, especially after the death of King Robert I of Scotland. The most immediate heir to the Scottish thrown, King David II was a youth at the time of his father's death, and his father's advisors were senile.
Edward Balliol obtained the support of King Edward III of England III and with the military aid of the British king, he obtained the Scottish crown, and was coronated King in September of 1332.
In December 1332, Edward Balliol's brief rule of Scotland ceased when zealous loyals of the Bruce royal family attacked Edward Balliol, and Balliol fled to England scantily clad, an indication that he was totally unprepared for his attackers. Yet, he was determined to regain control of Scotland.
Through the Battle of Halidon Hill in July of 1333 he again gained the Scottish thrown. He was enthrowned and dethroned several more times in his lifetime, however the people of Scotland were not avid supporters of the man desperate to maintain his Kingship. Instead, the proper heir to the thrown, King David II was far more popular among the Scottish people. Even though King David was eventually defeated by Balliol in battle, Balliol never won the favor of the Scottish people. Discouraged, he eventually fully surrendered the Scottish thrown to the authority of King Edward III of England.
Edward Balliol obtained the support of King Edward III of England III and with the military aid of the British king, he obtained the Scottish crown, and was coronated King in September of 1332.
In December 1332, Edward Balliol's brief rule of Scotland ceased when zealous loyals of the Bruce royal family attacked Edward Balliol, and Balliol fled to England scantily clad, an indication that he was totally unprepared for his attackers. Yet, he was determined to regain control of Scotland.
Through the Battle of Halidon Hill in July of 1333 he again gained the Scottish thrown. He was enthrowned and dethroned several more times in his lifetime, however the people of Scotland were not avid supporters of the man desperate to maintain his Kingship. Instead, the proper heir to the thrown, King David II was far more popular among the Scottish people. Even though King David was eventually defeated by Balliol in battle, Balliol never won the favor of the Scottish people. Discouraged, he eventually fully surrendered the Scottish thrown to the authority of King Edward III of England.