When Alexander III died in 1286 and his only heir Margaret died soon after the Scottish throne was left empty. There were up to thirteen claimants for the throne and, to avoid bloodshed, the guardians of Scotland asked Edward I to arbitrate. Edward used this opportunity to strengthen his grip on Scotland, insisting that all castles be handed over, and that the claimants recognise him as their feudal superior. After deliberating for eighteen months, he chose John Balliol who was seen as a puppet king.
It would appear that Edward continually goaded Balliol into rebellion. This would be the excuse Edward needed to go to war with Scotland and bring it to heel. The final straw for Balliol was Edward treating Scotland like feudal property, when he summoned Balliol plus twenty-six noblemen to fight with him against France. In the ensuing conflict, Edward easily swept aside Scottish resistance.
During this time, the Bruce family fought on the side of Edward, unwilling to risk their competitors gaining the Scottish throne. Robert the Bruce eventually broke from his father's influence and decided to fight for the nationalist cause. He fought mainly a guerrilla war, and in 1306 after murdering John Comyn, his chief rival for the throne, after a heated argument, he was forced to take the throne in order to protect himself from the Comyn family.
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