John Balliol's older brothers survive.

So this is something I've been pondering a lot lately. John Balliol, Lord of Galloway, otherwise known as John I of Scotland and Toom Tabbard, came to the throne in 1292, after the great interregnum, which came about after Margaret the Maid's death, and the great cause etc. However, he had three older brothers, Hugh de Balliol, married to Agnes de Valence daughter of William de Valence, Alan de Balliol who was unmarried and Alexander de Balliol who was married to Eleanor de Genoure.

With a butterfly net in place to allow for the deaths of Alexander III, his sons Alexander and David, as well as Margaret Maid of Norway, what would change if one of John's older brothers survived past 1271, and was alive when the Maid of Norway died? Hugh is married to a cousin of King Edward I, would he be favoured for the crown? Could he, or one of his brothers win over the Bruces through offer of a marriage?

If they can, what does this change in Scotland in regards to the great cause, and the war for independence which did boil down to a succession and civil war?
 
The only differences I can see would relate to the personalities of the older Balliols as to whether that would deter them from the same offer to John Balliol.
Edward I is going to assert his dominion regardless of who reigns with the same results if HughI/AlexIV Balliol don't handle the Scottish Lords or Edward better.
 
The only differences I can see would relate to the personalities of the older Balliols as to whether that would deter them from the same offer to John Balliol.
Edward I is going to assert his dominion regardless of who reigns with the same results if HughI/AlexIV Balliol don't handle the Scottish Lords or Edward better.

Hell, Bruce or Balliol, whoever wound up with the throne was likely to lose it. Medieval Scotland was an unstable realm at best, and that situation was the sort of trouble that would make stable realms unsettled...
 
Alright very true. I suppose the issue of their personality and their support amongst powerful lords would make or break them.
 
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