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Baliol (BALLIOL JOHN King of Scotland)

or BALLIOL, JOHN, King of Scotland; born about 1249. On the death of Margaret, the Maiden of Norway, and grandchild of Alexander III., Baliol claimed the vacant throne by vir tue of his descent from David, Earl of Huntington, brother to William the Lion, King of Scotland. Robert Bruce (grandfather of the King) opposed Baliol; but Edward I.'s decision was in favor of Baliol, who did homage to him for the kingdom, Nov. 20, 1292. Irritated by Edward's harsh exercise of authority, Baliol concluded a treaty with France, then at war with England; but, after the defeat at Dunbar he surrendered his crown into the hands of the English monarch. He was sent with his son to the Tower, but, by the intercession of the Pope, in 1297, obtained liberty to retire to his Norman estates, where he died in 1315. His son, Edward, in 1332, landed in Fife with an armed force, and having defeated a large army under the Regent Mar (who was killed), got himself crowned King, but was driven out in three months.