Baliol

ba'le-ol or bal'yol, John, a Scottish nobleman. He lived 1249-1315. Baliol and Robert Bruce were competitors for the vacant throne of Scotland. The supporters of the former succeeded in referring the matter to Edward I of England who decided in favor of Baliol, but took opportunity to make him and Scotland subordinate to the English crown. This procedure made Baliol very unpopular with his countrymen. He was subsequently deposed by Edward. He died in Normandy shortly after his former rival, the Bruce, had won the famous victory of Bannockburn. The Scots called Baliol "Toom Tabard," or empty-jacket. His son Edward invaded Scotland with English backing in 1332, and succeeded in making himself king of the Scots for a period of three months. See Bruce; Scotland