Page "Wars of Scottish Independence" Paragraph 4

However, Margaret, travelling to her new kingdom, died shortly after landing on the Orkney Islands around 26 September 1290.

With her death, there were 13 rivals for succession.

The two leading competitors for the Scottish crown were Robert Bruce, 5th Lord of Annandale ( grandfather of the future King Robert the Bruce ) and John Balliol, Lord of Galloway.

Fearing civil war between the Bruce and Balliol families and supporters, the Guardians of Scotland wrote to Edward I of England, asking him to come north and arbitrate between the claimants in order to avoid civil war.