(Sir John), a Scottish poet, in the reign of James V. of Scotland, was descended from an ancient family in that kingdom. His father, Mr Thomas Balleenden of Auchinoul, was director to the chancery in the year 1540, and clerk register in 1541. Where our poet was educated, we are not informed; but from one of his poems we learn, that in his youth he had some employment at the court of king James V. and that he was in great favour with that prince. Having taken orders, and being created doctor of divinity at the Sorbonne, he was made canon of Ross, and archdeacon of Murray. He likewise obtained the place of clerk register, but was afterwards deprived of that employment by the factions of the times; however, in the succeeding reign, of Mary, he recovered that office, and was one of the lords of session. Being a zealous papist, he, in conjunction with Dr Laing, was extremely diligent in retarding the progress of the reformation; till at last, finding the opposition too powerful, he quitted Scotland, and went to Rome, where he died in the year 1550. He is generally esteemed one of the best Scottish poets of that age. His works are, 1. The history and chronicles of Scotland of Hector Boeith (Boethius), translated by Mr John Balleenden. Edinb. 1536. This is not a mere translation, Balleenden having corrected several mistakes of his author, and made large additions. It is in folio, and black letter. 2. Geography to the history of Scotland, with a poetical preface. 3. A description of Albany. 4. Translation of Boethius's description of Scotland. 5. Epistles to king James V. Bale says he had seen these letters. 6. Several poems in Carmichael's collection of Scottish poems; besides many others in manuscript, in private libraries in Scotland. 7. Virtue and vice, a poem addressed to king James V.

BAILERUS, in ichthyology, the trivial name of a species of cyprinus. See CYPRINUS.