1. The Great Cause We will be exploring:
the main competitors to the throne of Scotland
Edward I’s choice of King

2. David, Earl of Huntingdon
The Great Cause
There were 14 competitors, even the King of Norway tried his luck!
Only 3 had serious claims to the throne
Malcolm IV
William the Lion
David, Earl of Huntingdon
died 1219
Alexander II
Margaret
m Lord of Galloway
Isabella
m Lord of Annandale
Ada
m Henry Hastings
Alexander III
Henry
Devorgilla
Robert Bruce
Robert Bruce
Margaret m
Eric II of Norway
John of Hastings
John of Hastings
John Balliol
John Balliol
Margaret
‘The Maid of Norway’

3. The Main Competitors
Robert Bruce
John of Hastings
John Balliol

4. August 1291:
Edward established a court at Berwick to judge the claims to the throne. ?

5. It was a two horse race between Balliol and Bruce.
John Balliol
Important Scottish family in Galloway
It was a two horse race between Balliol and Bruce.
Robert Bruce
Important Scottish Noble in Annandale
John of Hastings
No Land or real importance in Scotland.

6. The Great Cause
Edward of England had to choose between the 13 claimants to the throne.
However, there were really only three main contestants.
Who had the ‘King factor’?

7. Activity
In small groups, you will read through the information you have been given on your ‘King Factor’ candidate. You must:
Make a list of reasons why your candidate should be King!
Try to convince the class to choose your candidate – in a 60 second pitch.

8. How was the decision made?
Balliol and Bruce were each asked to appoint 40 ‘auditors’
The auditors would listen to the arguments of each competitor and his lawyers
Edward I appointed 24 auditors
For 18 months there was discussion, argument, gathering and presenting of evidence

9. 17 November 1292
After 18 months King Edward I announced his judgement….. ?

10. John Balliol

11. On 12th November, 1292 Edward I chose Balliol to be King of Scots.
Reaction of the Bruce family:
Anger
Would not accept Balliol as King
Determined to continue their claim
The Award of Berwick
On 12th November, 1292 Edward I chose Balliol to be King of Scots.
This was no big surprise. Even 29 auditors chosen by Bruce voted for Balliol!
Balliol’s coronation:
Took place at Scone
St Andrews Day (30 Nov 1292)
Sat on Stone of Destiny

12. 2 weeks later at Newcastle John Balliol paid homage to Edward I
26 Dec 1292
2 weeks later at Newcastle John Balliol paid homage to Edward I
During the ceremony, Balliol:
Knelt in front of Edward I (his master)
Promised to obey Edward
Accepted Edward as his overlord
Accepted if he broke his promise he would be punished severely

13. My Lord, Lord Edward, lord superior of the realm of Scotland, I, John Balliol, King of the Scots, hereby become your liegeman for the whole realm of Scotland….and I will maintain faith and fealty to you and your heirs, the kings of England.

14. Balliol was to become a puppet King

15. Why did Edward choose John Balliol?
Balliol agreed to pay homage to King Edward
Balliol agreed that Edward was Overlord of Scotland
Balliol was descended from the eldest daughter of Earl of Huntingdon
Balliol was nearest heir of Margaret, Maid of Norway
Several Scots nobles felt they should be King; there was fear of civil war.
Some historians argue that Edward chose him because he would be easy to control.

16. Source A was written by a historian in 2001.
John of Hastings really had the weakest claim to the throne of Scotland. He wasn’t as strong as Bruce and was further removed from the throne than Balliol. Balliol came from a strong family who had close ties with the powerful Comyns. He was a weaker character than Bruce, but, he was descended from the eldest daughter of the Earl of Huntingdon. It was a difficult choice to make, and fearful of civil war, Edward I was asked to make the choice.
Assess the usefulness of Source A as evidence of why Edward I chose Balliol to be King of Scots. (5)

18. Knowledge Check… Three reasons why Balliol was chosen to be King.
Name two vows Balliol said when paying homage to Edward.
What was the award of Berwick?