Edward Balliol

Edward Balliol and the Earl of Atholl (Strathbogie)

Following the First War of Scottish Independence, there were many unresolved territorial claims. Robert Bruce had passed the Statute of Cambuskenneth, forbidding transboundary lordships, intending to prevent any opposition to his rule. Lords and supporters of John Balliol with estates in both Scotland and England could either keep their ancestral and claimed lands in Scotland by switching their loyalties to Robert Bruce, or they could keep their English estates but only if they gave up their Scottish ones. Those who chose to keep their English estates and forfeit their Scottish estates were known as the Disinherited. When Robert Bruce died and David II took the Scottish throne, the Disinherited saw it as an opportunity to reclaim their Scottish lands. Led by Edward Balliol, John Balliol's son, and supported by Edward III of England, the Disinherited invaded Scotland in 1332. 

XS5 MS A001 MS-1

Grant by David de Strathbogie to Robert Menzies. Scotland, c. 1332-1335. In Latin. Ink on parchment. University of Guelph, Archival and Special Collections (XS5 MS A001 MS-1).

This land charter was issued by David de Strathbogie and granted the thanage of Cranach to Robert Menzies in return for his allegiance. David de Strathbogie was a “disinherited” lord whose father had been banished by Robert the Bruce (r. 1306-1329). The younger Strathbogie returned to  Scotland with the English-supported claimant to the Scottish throne, Edward Balliol, at the beginning of the Second War of Scottish Independence in 1332. Strathbogie himself used the titles “Earl of Atholl” and “Constable of Scotland” in this grant, which suggests that the Scottish Crown under David II had at this point made concessions to Strathbogie in order to entice him to join their side in the war against England. During the fourteenth century, nobles sometimes switched their allegiance during times of political chaos in order to gain the best political advantage; this situation was particularly likely when a kingdom had two self-declared kings competing for dominion, as was the case in Scotland at this time.