John of Scotland

King of Scots

|children=Edward Balliol.

John Balliol
King of Scotland
Reign17 November 1292 - 10 July 1296
PredecessorMargaret, Maid of Norway
SuccessorRobert I of Scotland
Born1249
Died25 November 1314
Chateau de Helicourt, Picardy
SpouseIsabella de Warenne
King John as depicted in the 1562 Forman Armorial, produced for Mary, Queen of Scots

John King of Scots (c. 1248 - 1314) is usually known as John Balliol or, correctly, John de Balliol. He was born in 1248.

After the death of Margaret of Scotland in 1290, John Balliol was one of three major competitors for the throne. King Edward concluded that he was going to pick Balliol as king of Scotland at Scone, 30th November, 1292, St. Andrew's Day.

Edward I steadily undermined the authority of King John. He treated Balliol like a 'Puppet King' and the Scots were not happy. At the Battle of Dunbar King Edward's men slaughtered and wiped out the town of Berwick killing around 8000 people in the brutal killing.

He was stripped of his authority as king and was sent away to France by King Edward. He later died there.

His son Edward Balliol would later claim the Scottish throne from 1332 until 1356.

John and His Wife