Expert: Mark Smith - 2/2/2006

Question
why did scots lords ask king edward to choose the next king of scotland? who did edward choose?

Answer
Hello Pauline.
Following the death of The Maid of Norway, the child Queen Margaret of Scots, in 1290 there was no obvious successor to the throne. In all 13 rivals, known as The Competitors, came forward with their claims. Fearing civil war the Scots Lords approached Edward I of England for a decision. Edward had long regarded himself as Overlord of Scotland and in return for formal recognition as such from the majority of the Competitors he made his decision in favour of John Baliol in November 1292. Baliol was in fact the rightful heir following the line of primogeniture, but Edward chose him because he thought he would be pliable and pro-English. With hindsight allowing Edward to become so closely involved in Scottish affairs was the greatest mistake the Scots ever made.
Mark