30th November 1292

John Balliol is crowned King of the Scots

John Balliol had been king since 17 November, but he had to wait until the end of the month for his coronation. His claim to the throne was by way of his great-great-great grandfather, David I, who was King of Scotland between 1124 and 1153.

Balliol wasn’t the only claimant, but support from King Edward I of England ensured his success – although maybe he would have wished this were not the case. Edward I exploited his influence over the Scottish king, to Scotland’s detriment, and levied taxes that were spent on English interests. Edward also insisted that Scotland support England in military activity against France.

Alliance with France

But Scotland was not prepared to go to war with England’s southern neighbour and, instead, it formalised the Auld Alliance with France instead. Under the terms of the alliance, each country would come to the aid of the other in the event of war with England. Unable to allow this to pass, Edward invaded Scotland and, in a series of battles, gained control of the country. Balliol was forced to abdicate, and imprisoned in London, and the Stone of Scone, on which Scottish kings were crowned, was taken to London.

The instigated the wars of Scottish independence which, over the coming years, would earn William Wallace and Robert the Bruce their places in Scottish – and British – history.