Balliol, John, BAYL yuhl, JON (1250?-1313?), was king of Scotland from 1292 to 1296. When the previous ruler of Scotland, 7-year-old Queen Margaret, died in 1290, Scotland was plunged into a crisis over who should inherit the throne. Thirteen people claimed the kingship, including Balliol and Robert Bruce, Lord of Annandale. Both men were descendants of David I, a king of Scotland during the 1100's. The council in charge of Scotland's government asked Edward I of England to decide. Edward chose Balliol. See Edward I.