Dervorguilla

Dervorguilla was one of the wealthiest women in Scotland during the thirteenth century, born to the lord of Galloway and married to John, baron of Balliol. In 1263, John was required to establish a college for the poor at Oxford University as penance for a land dispute with a local bishop. When he died, Dervorguilla consolidated the founding of the college and drafted its statutes. She endowed several public and religious works, including the abbey of Dulce Cor in 1273. The college that she and John established still retains the name Balliol. Dervorguilla’s son, John, became king of Scotland in 1292.