At Stracathro on 7 July 1296, John Balliol publicly admitted the errors of his ways and confirmed his reconciliation with Edward I, King of England. John Balliol abdicated on 10 July 1296, the arms of Scotland were formally torn from his surcoat, and after being held for three years in the Tower of London he was allowed to flee to France, where he died in 1314. His abdication and surrender of the Royal Crown and Seal of the Kingdom of Scotland to Edward I of England led to the First War of Scottish Independence.