Baliol, John De

Related Category: British and Irish History: Biographies

d. 1269, nobleman with lands in both England and Scotland; founder of Balliol College, Oxford. The name is also spelled Balliol. In 1249 he became a member of the Scottish council of regency and a guardian of Alexander III. However, he was apparently disliked by the young king and was discharged and heavily fined in 1255. He fought for Henry III of England in the Barons' War and was taken prisoner at the battle of Lewes (1264). His third son, another John, became king of Scotland.