BALIOL, JOHN. Lord of Galloway, and afterwards King of Scotland, was b. in 1259, and on the death of the princess Margaret in 1290, became a competitor for the crown of Scotland. As the grandson of the eldest daughter of David earl of Hunting ton, brother of William the lion, his claim was pronounced' superior to that of the other principal competitor, Robert Bruce, lord of Annandale, son of the second daughter. The arbiter on the occasion was Edward I. of England, who found this a fit opportunity for asserting his claim as lord-paramount of Scotland. That claim was acknowledged by the Scottish estates in submitting the contest to his decision; and, consistently with this ignominious submission, 13., before and after receiving crown (Nov: 30, 1292), swore fealty to Edward as his feudal superior. He was soon made to feel that his sovereignty was merely nominal, and, abject as he had shown himself, the -indignities which lie experienced at length roused him to an assertion of his rights as king. In
1295 he took upon him, by the advice of his nobles, to conclude an alliance with France, then at war with England. This act of revolt was followed by speedy chastisement. Edward invaded Scotland with a large force; defeated the Scottish troops; took B. prisoner, and compelled him, after performing a humiliating penance, formally to surrender his crown. July 2d, 1296. B. was confined for three years in the Tower, enjoy ing, however, a limited freedom, and something of royal state. At the end of that time he was permitted to retire to his patrimonial estates in Normandy, where he died in 1314, a short time after the battle of Bannockburn. - The estimate by his subjects of this unfortunate and poor-spirited prince was significantly indicated by the surname of " Toom Tabard," or Empty .lacket.