Edward de Balliol

Edward Balliol
Mid 18th century engraving of Edward Balliol
Claimant to the Scottish Kingdom
Reign	September 1332 to 1336
Born	c. 1283
Died	c. 1367 Wheatley, Doncaster
House	House of Balliol
Father	John Balliol
Mother	Isabella de Warenne
Religion	Roman Catholicism

Edward Balliol (c. 1283 – 1367) was a pretender to the Scottish throne (1314–1356). With English help, he briefly ruled parts of the country in three periods between 1332 and 1336.

He was the eldest son of John Balliol, erstwhile King of the Scots, and Isabella de Warenne, daughter of John de Warenne, 6th Earl of Surrey, and Alice de Lusignan. Alice was daughter of Hugh X de Lusignan and Isabella of Angoulême, widow of John, King of England.

The death of King Robert I weakened Scotland considerably, since his son and successor David II was still a child and the two most able lieutenants, the Black Douglas and Thomas Randolph, 1st Earl of Moray, both died shortly afterwards.

Taking advantage of this, Edward 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 at the Battle of Annan.

On his retreat from Scotland, Balliol sought refuge with the Clifford family, land owners in Westmorland, and stayed in their castles at Appleby, Brougham, Brough, and Pendragon.