Edward Balliol: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

Edward Balliol (c.1283 - c.1360s), (a.k.a. Edward de Baliol) the eldest son of John Balliol, was intermittently king of Scotland from 1332-1336.

Balliol, backed by Edward III of England, defeated the Regent, the Earl of Mar, at the Battle of Dupplin Moor in Perthshire. He was crowned at Scone in September 1332, but three months later he was forced to flee half-naked back to England, following a surprise attack by nobles loyal to David II.

He was restored by the English in 1333, following the Battle of Halidon Hill. Balliol then ceded the whole of the district formerly known as Lothian to Edward and paid homage to him as liege lord. With no serious support in Scotland, he was deposed again in 1334, and restored again in 1335, and finally deposed in 1336 when David II returned from France.

He returned to Scotland after the defeat of David II at Battle of Nevilles Cross in 1346, raising an insurrection in Galloway, and speedily penetrated to the central parts of the kingdom. However, he gained no permanent footing.

In January 20, 1356, Balliol surrendered his claim to the Scottish throne to Edward III in exchange for an English pension.

He spent the rest of his life living in obscurity. He died sometime in the 1360s (most probably between 1363 and 1365), unmarried and heirless. The location of his grave is not known.