Balliol College was founded in about 1263 (leading some to argue that it
is the University's oldest college, a claim contested by both
University College and Merton College) by John I de Balliol under the
guidance of the Bishop of Durham. After his death in 1268, his widow,
Lady Dervorguilla of Galloway (their son and grandson both became Kings
of Scotland) made arrangements to ensure the permanence of the college
in that she provided capital and in 1282 formulated the college
statutes, documents that survive to this day.
Four years after John Balliol's death, his widow, Lady Devorguilla, signed a charter establishing a new Cistercian abbey - Sweetheart Abbey - a few miles from Dumfries in southwest Scotland - in memory of her beloved husband.
Such was Lady Devorgilla's love for her departed husband that it extended to her carrying his embalmed heart around with her in an ivory box with enamelled silver trimmings. After her own death in 1290 she was buried in the sanctuary of the abbey church she had founded, and on her instructions the casket containing her husband's heart was buried beside her.
Four years after John Balliol's death, his widow, Lady Devorguilla, signed a charter establishing a new Cistercian abbey - Sweetheart Abbey - a few miles from Dumfries in southwest Scotland - in memory of her beloved husband.
Such was Lady Devorgilla's love for her departed husband that it extended to her carrying his embalmed heart around with her in an ivory box with enamelled silver trimmings. After her own death in 1290 she was buried in the sanctuary of the abbey church she had founded, and on her instructions the casket containing her husband's heart was buried beside her.
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