Edward Balliol

Edward Balliol (c. 1283–1364) was the eldest son of John Balliol, the Scottish king who abdicated in 1296, and was held in the Tower of London until 1299. When Robert I died in 1329, leaving an infant heir, Balliol joined the Disinherited, English magnates who had lost Scottish lands in the peace.

In 1332, with covert English backing, they invaded, won at Dupplin Moor and had him crowned at Scone, but he was soon driven out and turned to Edward III. Edward's army won at Halidon Hill in 1333 and set him on the throne again, in return for much of southern Scotland; in 1334 Balliol ceded Lothian and did homage.

Forces loyal to David II regained the country, and defeats in 1335 unravelled his cause. The Scots never accepted him. In 1356 he surrendered his claim to Edward III for a pension and died childless in 1364.