BALIOL, .lonx DE (1249-1315). Lord of Gal loway, and King of Scotland from 1292 to 1296. On the death of Princess Margaret, in 1290, he became a competitor for the crown of Scotland. As the grandson of the eldest daughter of David. Earl of Huntington, brother of William the Lion, and grandson of David I., his claim was pro noun•ed superior to that of his principal com petitor, Robert Bruce, Lord of Annandale, son of a second daughter. The arbiter on the occa sion was Edward 1., of England, W110 found this a fit opportunity for asserting his claim as Lord paramount of Scotland. •his elaim was ac knowledged by the Scottish Estates in submit tIng the contest to his decision; and, consistently with this submission, Baliol, before and after receiving the crown (November 30, 1292), swore fealty to Edward as his feudal superior. He was Soon made to feel that his sovereignty was merely nominal, and the indignities which he experienced roused him to an assertion of his rights as king.
With the advice of his nobles, he concluded an alliance in 1295, with France, then at war with England—an act of revolt, followed by speedy chastisement. Edward invaded Scotland with a large force; defeated the Scottish troops( took Baliol prisoner, and compelled him formally to surrender his crown, .duly 10, 1296. Baliol was held as a prisoner for three years, enjoying, how ever, a limited freedom, and something of royal state. At the end of that time Ile was permitted to retire to his patrimonial estates in France, where lie died in 1315. The estimate by his sub jects of this prince was significantly indicated by the surname of `Toom Tabard,' or Empty Jacket.