PC: (How) Could John de Balliol Be Successful as King of Scots? Found a Lasting Dynasty?

This is very true, I imagine that without Scotland causing him issues, he might be able to move more power over to Gascony

That sounds likely. I think there may be a lot more nobles in England who would be interested in a war in France to war (with a traditional ally) in Scotland. Although, IIRC, Edward's war chest was pretty drained after the whole Welsh campaign. So would he (or his son) be able to get money for it?
 
That sounds likely. I think there may be a lot more nobles in England who would be interested in a war in France to war (with a traditional ally) in Scotland. Although, IIRC, Edward's war chest was pretty drained after the whole Welsh campaign. So would he (or his son) be able to get money for it?

I think Edward I is more likely to, he knew how to play his nobles, his son didn't.
 
I think Edward I is more likely to, he knew how to play his nobles, his son didn't.

Fair enough. Which makes me wonder if things in England won't go to rack and ruin earlier. Unless it's a case of Edward II standing in a too long shadow of his father and son.
 
I think a more likely scenario to the Gascony problem with no threat whatsoever coming from Scotland would eventually be some sort of peace settlement after a few engagements that would ultimately end in a marriage between Little Edward and Philip's sister Margaret. Philip likely still has his own problems in Flanders, and with Edward's undivided attention on affairs in Gascony, I just can't imagine Philip wanting to push his luck too much.
 
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I think a more likely scenario to the Gascony problem with no threat whatsoever coming from Scotland would eventually be some sort of peace settlement after a few engagements that would ultimately end in a marriage between Little Edward and Philip's sister Margaret. Philip likely still has his own problems in Flanders, and with Edward's undivided attention on affairs in Gascony, I just can't imagine Philip wanting to push his luck too much.

This is true. I wonder if Philippe le Bel wil kidnap (and possibly murder) the prince of Wales' Flemish intended here or not
 
Who would Little Edward's Flemish intended be at this point? I figured the safer bet would be for him to marry Philip's sister Margaret who is only 2 years older than him.
 
Margaret of France is five years older than Edward II of England (and Blanche was six years older)
The Flemish fiancé was Philippa, daughter of https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guy,_Count_of_Flanders
Yes, you're right, I kept thinking Edward was born in 1281, then checked it was 1284. His sister was born in '81.

Well, that's a marriage that would tighten the screws on Philip. Secures a vital ally in the Low Countries and ensures the continued vitality of England's lucrative wool trade with those Flemish merchants. Blanche of France though was born in 1282, so she might still be a viable match for Edward of Caernarfon, only a 2 year difference there.

I mean, I see that Philippa was betrothed to EoC here in 1294 and was later imprisoned in OTL by King Philip. Now, I'm just working off the POD that I proposed (a surviving Eleanor of Castile encourages her husband to let Balliol be and instead build him up as an ally by marrying his their daughter to his son), so after this, does this engagement still happen if Balliol is crowned I'm 1282? This changes circumstances here. Philip would rather not see himself fighting a war on 2 fronts if he keeps meddling and knowing that England and Scotland have renewed their up to that point historical alliance, Philip knows that if he antagonizes Edward or his allies, he will have Edward's undivided attention. And this version of Edward is the sharper, more diplomatic version of Edward with his beloved wife still around getting the last word in. So I think Philip doesn't drive Guy into Edward's arms as quickly as he did in OTL and thus, Philippa remains a viable and strong marriage candidate, arguably a leading candidate at this point, just not automatically betrothed.
 
Yes, you're right, I kept thinking Edward was born in 1281, then checked it was 1284. His sister was born in '81.

Well, that's a marriage that would tighten the screws on Philip. Secures a vital ally in the Low Countries and ensures the continued vitality of England's lucrative wool trade with those Flemish merchants. Blanche of France though was born in 1282, so she might still be a viable match for Edward of Caernarfon, only a 2 year difference there.

I mean, I see that Philippa was betrothed to EoC here in 1294 and was later imprisoned in OTL by King Philip. Now, I'm just working off the POD that I proposed (a surviving Eleanor of Castile encourages her husband to let Balliol be and instead build him up as an ally by marrying his their daughter to his son), so after this, does this engagement still happen if Balliol is crowned I'm 1282? This changes circumstances here. Philip would rather not see himself fighting a war on 2 fronts if he keeps meddling and knowing that England and Scotland have renewed their up to that point historical alliance, Philip knows that if he antagonizes Edward or his allies, he will have Edward's undivided attention. And this version of Edward is the sharper, more diplomatic version of Edward with his beloved wife still around getting the last word in. So I think Philip doesn't drive Guy into Edward's arms as quickly as he did in OTL and thus, Philippa remains a viable and strong marriage candidate, arguably a leading candidate at this point, just not automatically betrothed.
Wiki is pretty inconsistent about dates for Blanche. She was almost surely older than Margaret so the other date given for her (aka 1278) is more realistic as birth year... A bride five or six years older than the groom is not unthinkable if both sides really want conclude the match

Well we are talking about Philip IV, right? Is not like who in OTL he always thinked to the consequences of his actions...
 
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Simplest way might be for Robert Bruce to get killed in the wars - as all his brothers were OTL.

That leaves the Balliols as the only alternative ti English rule, and they take up the fight for independence
 
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