What is a pant and why did it keep changing?

One of the distinguishing features of Durham Market Place for many years was the pant. As you can see from the photographs below, it’s design has changed a number of times. But what is a pant? Why was it there? And why did it keep changing its appearance? We’re going to use the photographs and some other sources to answer all these questions.

Montage of images of the pant that used to stand in the Market Place of Durham. (Images courtesy of Durham University Library.)

Photograph showing the pant in Durham Market Place, c 1870s. (DUL ref:Gibby A/City/99)

If you look for the term ‘pant’ in a dictionary, it probably won’t help very much. Pant is very much a northern word. However, we might still be able to find out what a pant is if we look at some pieces of evidence. Let’s start with the photgraphs.

The pants might have changed in appearance over the years but one thing remained the same. Do you know what it is? Have a look at the previous page, if you need a reminder.

Look below for a close-up.

Photograph of the statue that sat atop the pant in Durham Market Place. (DUL ref: Gibby A/City/134)

Try to answer the following questions to see if you can work out who he is.

What is his foot resting on?
What is he leaning on?
What is he carrying?
What is on his head?

Have you guessed who he is?

Song entitled ‘The Pant Wife’s Petition’. (DUL ref: NSR Planfile C 17/51)

Did you guess that it is a statue of Neptune? Do you know what Neptune was the Roman god of? This might give us a clue.

This song called ‘The Durham Pant-Wife’s Petition’ might also help us to work out what a pant is and why it kept changing. Read the source and then answer the questions. If you find it difficult to read, there is a transcript and a larger version available.

1. In this first verse, what does the Pant-wife say she is complaining about? What does she say she wants?

2. Now make a guess about what a pant is.

3. What is the pant-wife saying in the second, third and fourth verses of the song? What does she think is the matter?

4. Read the final verse. Where does the pant-wife think the problem is?

5. Does this explain why the pant changed it appearance on at least one occasion?

6. The pant was removed from the Market Place in 1923. Why do you think they didn’t build a new one?

7. What does the presence of a pant in the Market Place from 1450 to 1923 tell us about what life was like then?

If you have finished, you can find out more about the statue in the Market Place or discover why the Market Place developed where it did.