History Corner

THE BARRING OUT, 1792

What came to be known as “The Barring Out” occurred in 1792 at a time of intellectual and revolutionary ferment across Europe and beyond. In August 1789 The Declaration of the Rights of Man had been published in France. Later that year the Bastille was stormed. 2 years later, Louis XVI and his queen, Marie Antoinette were captured trying to flee France. Both were to be executed. Also in 1791, Tom Paine wrote his highly influential treatise “The Rights of Man” in defence of the French Revolution. Events in France did not go unnoticed in Ireland. Labouring under various disabilities, both Presbyterians and Roman Catholics were encouraged in their attempts to attain the rights enjoyed by their Anglican fellow countrymen. On 14th July 1791, a large demonstration took place in Belfast to celebrate the second anniversary of the fall of the Bastille. The same year, Wolfe Tone, whose younger brother was to attend Belfast Academy, founded the Society of the United Irishmen, the body responsible for instigating rebellion in Ireland in 1798. Belfast Academy was founded and funded in 1785 by a number of prominent Belfast Presbyterians led by the Reverend Doctor James Crombie who was to become the new school’s first principal. Crombie was to die in 1790 after a short illness and was succeeded by another Presbyterian minister, William Bruce, described as “a tall, handsome man of striking appearance.” As is the case with most new school principals, Bruce quickly imposed his authority and made regulations governing the running of the school. Boys were to arrive in class with their hands and faces washed and their hair combed. Lying, swearing and fighting were strictly forbidden and pupils were not to have dogs or guns without the Principal’s permission! The final straw for many of the boys appears to have been the doing away with the Easter holiday. Inspired by the spirit of the times and fully imbued with the idealism of youth, a number of pupils decided that action must be taken so that their grievances might be addressed. At 6:30am on 12th April 1792, 7 boarders and 2 day pupils, one of whom was the son of James Crombie, the school’s first principal, determined to assert their rights by armed rebellion, took possession of the mathematical classroom which they renamed “Liberty Hall”. The only access to this room was through the writing room. The boys were well prepared, with 5 pistols, a large quantity of ammunition, 14 loaves and a sizeable amount of beef to sustain them. The lit a fire and made themselves comfortable and declared war on the Principal and Patrons of the school until such time as certain privileges were granted to them. Bruce determined to crush the revolt. Accompanied by his wife, he demanded of the boys that they surrender. They refused and instead fired at the couple. Bruce then sent men on to the roof of the building to pour water down the chimney on to the fire. He also commissioned a group of blacksmiths to break down the door of the room. The rebels responded by opening fire on the men, who promptly fled refusing to return. Bruce himself then took a crowbar and, again accompanied by his wife, forced his way into the writing room and advanced towards the mathematical room, under fire from a hole in the door of that room. One bullet narrowly missed Mrs Bruce’s head. Bruce was still determined to smash his way into the mathematical room. However, his fearful and perhaps more sensible wife persuaded him to retreat. As news of the revolt spread, the Sovereign, the chief executive officer of the town, who was also a magistrate, arrived at the school. He ordered the boys to lay down their arms and come out. The boys responded by threatening to part his wig with a bullet. Judiciously, he too fled. In early evening, for reasons which aren’t clear,

the boys were persuaded to surrender. The school patrons decided that the rebels must be punished and what were described as “12 stripes” were administered to each boy. They were then brought to the Common Hall were, in front of a full school assembly, they were harangued by the Sovereign. The boys appear to have left the school shortly thereafter. Not surprisingly, Bruce was badly affected by the events and tendered his resignation to the Patrons. They however, recognising Bruce’s qualities, refused to accept the resignation. The Patrons had shown considerable foresight. Despite his inauspicious start, Bruce proved to be one of the Academy’s greatest Principals. He continued to lead the school, which was popularly known as “Bruce’s Academy”, until retiring in 1822, aged 65. Evidence of his high standing are the 2 silver salvers, presented to him by his pupils upon his retirement. Both are now on display in the school’s Heritage Room.

Jim Carolan