King John Balliol was a Scottish king who ruled from 1292 to 1296. He became king after a dispute over the Scottish throne, which was settled by Edward I of England. Balliol's reign was marked by challenges, including conflicts with the English crown and internal divisions among Scottish nobles. In 1296, Edward I invaded Scotland, leading to Balliol's defeat at the Battle of Dunbar. He was captured and later forced to abdicate. After his reign, Scotland faced further turmoil, but Balliol's brief rule is significant in the context of the struggle for Scottish independence.