John of Scotland

Reign: 1292 – 1296
Life: 1249–1314

After the death of Margaret, Maid of Norway, Scotland entered an interregnum during which several competitors for the Crown of Scotland put forward claims. Edward used his influence over the process to subjugate Scotland and undermined Balliol's personal reign by treating Scotland as a vassal of England. Under pressure from the Scottish nobility, Balliol signed a treaty with France known as the "Auld Alliance" and renounced his fealty to Edward. After a Scottish defeat in 1296, Balliol abdicated and was imprisoned in the Tower of London.

During John of Scotland's reign, Edward I of England ruled England, Denis I of Portugal ruled Portugal, and Philip IV of France ruled France.

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Actes and monuments by John Foxe

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The most notable rulers who held power elsewhere at the same time, from European courts to Ottoman, Mughal, and Chinese thrones.

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Go deeper on John of Scotland

Hand-picked histories and biographies for readers who want more than the timeline: the same era, told in full.

Actes and monuments

John Foxe

A well-regarded work on John of Scotland and scottish history, useful for going deeper beyond this page.

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Scotland: A History
Jenny Wormald
The standard one-volume history of Scotland, essential context for the early kingdom and its kings.
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