John Bailol

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  1. McCabeGall21 January 2024 at 23:03

    William Tennent's work John Baliol, a Historical Drama in five acts (1825), covered events directly after the death of Queen Margaret of Scotland in 1290, which would lead to a constitutional crisis as different contenders sought to become the next king of Scotland. Through drama and poetry Tennent attempted to bring to light the arrogance and greed of the medieval nobility which squabbles and conspires for the crown of Scotland during a legal contest known as the Great Cause. Tennent examines the nobility's sense of Scottish identity which is linked with land, power, patronage and the amount of followers they can summon. The followers of the two strongest contenders; John Baliol and Robert Bruce the Competitor, Lord of Annandale and grandfather of the future King Robert Bruce, seek reward and position for their support, and if that is not forthcoming they will switch sides. As for the contenders for the crown, their claims are partly based on the ability to lead, but more dependent on genealogical links to royalty or royal descent. Love of country is not a necessary condition for kingship in the Great Cause. At the same time all contenders have to appease Edward I, King of England, who seeks to play one side off the other and gain power for himself.

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  2. McCabeGall21 January 2024 at 23:07

    John Baliol, by William Tennent (1825): A Historical Drama in Five Acts https://amzn.eu/d/5IGwykC

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