House of Balliol
The House of Balliol was a noble family originating from the village of Bailleul in Picardy. They held estates in England, granted during the reign of King William Rufus. Through marriage, they had Competitors [for the Crown of Scotland|claims to the Throne of Scotland]. One member of the family, John Balliol, was named King of Scotland after the disputed succession following extinction of the Dunkeld line. John was deposed, leading to the First War of Scottish Independence. His son, Edward Balliol, also briefly controlled the Scottish throne during the Second War of Scottish Independence. Edward had no issue, and the direct line went extinct with him.
List of heads of the Balliol estates
- Guy I de Balliol, established lordship in northern England in 1090s
- Bernard I de Balliol, nephew of Guy
- Guy II de Balliol, son of Bernard
- Bernard II de Balliol, brother of above
- Eustace de Balliol, cousin of above
- Hugh de Balliol, son of above
- John I de Balliol, son of above, the founder of Balliol College
- John II de Balliol, son of above, reigned as King of Scotland from 1292 to 1296, as a descendant of David I of Scotland of the House of Dunkeld.
- Edward de Balliol, eldest son of John; from 1332 to 1356 he was a pretender to the Scottish throne with the support of England, in opposition to David II of Scotland.