BALIOL, JOHN DE 0249-1315), king of Scotland, was a son of John de Baliol (d. 1269) of Barnard Castle, Durham, by his wife Dervorguila, daughter of Alan, earl of Galloway, and be came head of the Baliol family (see above) and lord of extensive lands in England, France and Scotland on his elder brother's death in 1278. When the Scottish throne became vacant in 1290 owing to the death of Margaret, the "maid of Norway," he was one of the three candidates for the Crown, claiming through his mater nal grandmother, Margaret, great granddaughter of King David I. Baliol's principal rival was Robert Bruce, earl of Annandale, and the dispute was the somewhat familiar one of the eldest by descent against the nearest of kin. The English king, Edward I., was invited to settle this dispute ; and when he met the Scottish nobles at Norham in May 1291, he demanded a formal recogni tion of his position as overlord of Scotland. After some delay this was acknowledged by Baliol and the other competitors, who all agreed to abide by his decision. A court of 8o Scotsmen and 24 Englishmen was then appointed to try the question, and on the advice of the court Edward decided in his favour. Having sworn fealty to the English king, Baliol was crowned king of Scotland at Scone on Nov. 3o, 1292; in his new capacity he did homage to Edward at Newcastle. These amicable relations were soon dis turbed. A Scottish vassal carried his case to Edward as Baliol's overlord, and Baliol himself was summoned to the English court to answer a suit brought against him by Macduff, earl of Fife. After a short struggle he admitted Edward's right, and in May 1294 attended a parliament in London. He soon quarrelled with his overlord, the exact point at issue being doubtful, and returned to Scotland. Baliol and the Scots barons refused to support Edward in his war with France, and a council of 12 was appointed to assist Baliol. Englishmen were dismissed from the Scottish court, their fiefs were confiscated, and an alliance was concluded with Philip IV., king of France. War broke out, but Baliol did not take the field in person. Invading Scotland, Edward met with a feeble resistance, and at Brechin in July 1296 Baliol surrendered his kingdom to Antony Bek, bishop of Durham, as the representa tive of the English king. About the same time he appeared before Edward at Montrose, and delivered to him a white rod, the feudal token of resignation. With his son, Edward, he was taken a prisoner to England, remaining in captivity until July 1299, when he was released at the request of Pope Boniface VIII., and passed the rest of his life in France.