Page "Edward I of England" Paragraph 27

Margaret, by now seven years of age, sailed from Norway for Scotland in the autumn of 1290, but fell ill on the way and died in Orkney.

This left the country without an obvious heir, and led to the succession dispute known to history as the Great Cause.

Even though as many as fourteen claimants put forward their claims to the title, the real contest was between John Balliol and Robert de Brus.

The Scottish magnates made a request to Edward to arbitrate in the dispute.

At Birgham, with the prospect of a personal union between the two realms, the question of suzerainty had not been of great importance to Edward.

Now he insisted that, if he were to settle the contest, he had to be fully recognised as Scotland's feudal overlord.

The Scots were reluctant to make such a concession, and replied that since the country had no king, no one had the authority to make this decision.

This problem was circumvented when the competitors agreed that the realm would be handed over to Edward until a rightful heir had been found.

After a lengthy hearing, a decision was made in favour of John Balliol on 17 November 1292.