John de Baliol (1250?-1314)

John de Baliol (1250?-1314), king of Scotland (1292-1296), son of John de Baliol, an English nobleman. When Princess Margaret died, he became a competitor for the crown then claimed by Robert de Bruce VI, grandfather of King Robert I (see Bruce, Robert). Edward I of England was the arbiter in the dispute, and he chose in favor of Baliol, who in turn pledged his fealty to Edward. Feeling that his sovereignty was only nominal and resenting various indignities to which he was subjected, Baliol in 1295 concluded an alliance with France, which was at war with England. The English then invaded Scotland, defeated the Scottish troops, took Baliol prisoner, and forced him to surrender his crown on July 10, 1296. The name is also spelled Balliol.