Balfour

Balfour, SIR JAMES, Lord President of the Court of Session, was a son of Sir Michael Balfour of Montquhanie, Fife. In early life he was implicated in the plot against Cardinal Beaton, and on the surrender of the castle of St Andrews (1547) he was carried prisoner to France with John Knox. Two years later he purchased freedom by apostasy, and returning to Scotland, entered on that infamous career in which he 'served with all parties, deserted all, and yet profited by all.' When Morton was made regent, Balfour received a commission to make a general digest of the law. It is doubtful, however, how far the Practices of Scots Law that bears his name is really his; for, not feeling himself safe in Scotland, he left it for France, where he remained seven years (1573–80). He died in 1583.