Succession problemThe Competitors

The deaths of King Alexander III in 1286 and the Maid of Norway plunged Scotland into crisis. Scottish nobles asked Edward I to choose a new king. This led to Edward’s involvement in Scottish affairs.

Part ofHistoryWars of Independence

The Competitors

Thirteen ‘Competitors to the Throne’ (nobles with a claim to the throne) asked Edward I to be considered as the future King of Scotland.

The Competitors graphic below describes the breakdown of the family tree.

The Family Tree of Robert the Bruce

Before Edward I would decide, he demanded that all the Competitors accept him as their overlord, which they agreed to.

This agreement is known as the 'Award of Norham’ and gave Edward ownership of Scotland.

In the end, only two of the Competitors had any serious claim to the throne - John Balliol and Robert Bruce.