Balliol

The Balliols, originally de Bailleul, came from Bailleul in Picardy and held English estates. John, fifth Baron Balliol, founded Balliol College in Oxford. His marriage to Dervorguilla of Galloway, a descendant of David, Earl of Huntingdon, gave the family its claim to the Scottish crown.

Their son John Balliol was chosen King of Scots in 1292 under Edward I's arbitration. His alliance with France brought an English invasion; he abdicated in 1296 and died in French exile in 1314, mocked as Toom Tabard, the empty coat.

His son Edward won at Dupplin Moor and was crowned at Scone in 1332. Backed by Edward III, he won Halidon Hill in 1333 and ceded Lothian, but defeat at Culblean in 1335 broke his cause. In 1356 he surrendered his claim for an English pension; he died childless in 1364.