Alexander de Balscot was born in the village of Balscot in Oxfordshire

Alexander is first heard of in Ireland in 1358, in 1359 as a vicar and in 1371 as Bishop of Ossory and Bishop of Meath in 1386. 

Edward II appointed him as treasurer of Ireland in 1372 and again in 1376.

De Balscot later also acted as Chancellor and Justiciar.

Close Roll, 3 Richard II

Item no. 11

Naas 12 November 1379

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 To the treasurer and chamberlains of the exchequer  Edmund Berle, Robert Stakeboll and John Cruys have pleaded that, at the request of Alexander [Balscot], bishop of Ossory, justiciar, they came with 6 men-at-arms and 60 armed hobelars and archers in their company to a parley held at Baltinglass between the King and his lieges of counties Kildare and Carlow, and McMurgh, Onolan, Obryn and Otothill and others of the King's Irish enemies and rebels. They sustained various expenses and labours in coming, remaining and returning for three days, and seek satisfaction as promised by the justiciar. Wishing to do what is just towards them, ORDER to pay them £4 for their expenses.

Attested:  Alexander [Balscot], bishop Ossory, justiciar

Authorised:  By letters under the signet of the marquis.

Close Roll, 3 Richard II

Item no. 10

Dublin 26 November 1379

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 To the treasurer and chamberlains of the exchequer  ORDER to pay Alexander [Balscot], bishop of Ossory, [justiciar of Ireland] £58 18s ¼d arrears of his annual fee of £500 from 14th October [1379] last until 25th November following, viz. 43 days inclusive.

Attested:  Alexander [Balscot], bishop Ossory, justiciar

Authorised:  By petition endorsed by the justiciar and council, and sealed with the privy seal

Patent Roll, 10 Richard II

Item no. 262

Castledermot 22 September 1386

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Alexander [Balscot], bishop of Meath, chancellor of Ireland, is so occupied in the service of the marquis that he cannot be personally present with the great seal to seal writs and other business before the chief justice in his sessions. Lest the business should be delayed for want of that seal, GRANT by the marquis of power to Edmund del Clay, chief justice at pleas [etc.], to cause all writs to be made and delivered into the hands of sheriffs [etc.], notwithstanding that they may not be sealed under the great seal, reserving the fee of that seal to the said chancellor

Authorised:  By letters of the marquis.

Patent Roll, 12 Richard II

Item no. 260

Skreen 16 February 1389

INSPEXIMUS of the tenor of a record and process of a plea before Alexander [Balscot], bishop of Meath, justiciar of Ireland, between Nicholas, son and heir of Robert fitz Leones and Robert Preston, knight, concerning one third of the manor of Nynche, County Meath, with appurtenances. 'Pleas of juries and assizes at Kells before Alexander [Balscot], bishop of Meath, justiciar of Ireland, on Tuesday after St Luke the Evangelist 12 Richard II [20th October 1388]. The assize comes to ascertain if Robert Preston, knight, unjustly disseised Nicholas, son and heir of Robert fitz Leones, from the Nynche. 

Patent Roll, 12 Richard II

Item no. 254

13 June 1389

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GRANT, at petition [etc.] and with the assent of the King's council in Ireland, to Thomas Sprot, archdeacon of Meath, who is going to England by order of Alexander [Balscot], bishop of Meath, justiciar of Ireland, to prosecute before the King and council various matters touching the bishop and his church of Meath, that he may receive the issues, rents and profits of his archdeaconry during his absence for one year, notwithstanding the statute against non-residence.

Authorised:  By petition endorsed by the justiciar and council, and sealed with the privy seal

He was dimissed and then reappointed along  with his colleagues, Crull, Stanley and Butler.

He died in Ireland in 1400 shortly after leaving office.