Guy I de Balliol facts for kids
Guy I de Balliol was an important person from a region called Picardy (in modern-day France). He was a baron, which was like a powerful lord who owned a lot of land. In the late 1000s, he was given land in northern England.
King William Rufus (also known as William II) gave Guy these lands in the 1090s. This happened because the King was reorganizing the northern part of England. He was taking back control of an area that used to belong to the Earl of Northumbria.
Why Guy Got Land
Historians have studied why Guy de Balliol received these lands. One historian, Frank Barlow, said that Guy's family was one of several that started during King William's time. These families were "planted" in areas near the borders of the kingdom. Their job was to help protect and expand the King's territory.
Another historian, Geoffrey Stell, suggested that Guy's lands were given to him because he helped King William. Guy likely supported the King in his military campaigns. These campaigns happened on the eastern border of Normandy in 1091 and 1094.
Where Guy Came From
Guy himself came from a border area. His family was from a place called Bailleul-en-Vimeu. This town was close to Abbeville. It was located right on the edge of the County of Ponthieu and the Duchy of Normandy. Being from a border region probably made him a good choice for protecting England's borders.
Guy's Successor
Guy I de Balliol died sometime before 1130 or 1133. His nephew, Bernard I de Balliol, took over his lands and responsibilities. This shows that the Balliol family continued to be important in England for many years.
