John I de Balliol

By the mid-thirteenth century, his wife had become very wealthy, principally as a result of inheritances from her family.

This wealth allowed Balliol to play a prominent public role, and, on King Henry III's instruction, he served as joint protector of the young king of Scots, Alexander III.

He was captured at the Battle of Lewes in 1264, but escaped and rejoined King Henry.

Following a dispute with the Bishop of Durham, he agreed to provide funds for scholars studying at Oxford.

Support for a house of students began in around 1263; further endowments, made after his death by Dervorguilla, resulted in the establishment of Balliol College.