Pilleth

Pilleth - From 'A Topographical Dictionary of Wales' (1849)
PILLETH, a parish, in the union of Presteign, hundred of Kevenlleece, county of Radnor, South Wales, 3� miles (S. W.) from Knighton; containing 73 inhabitants. It is distinguished as the scene of a memorable engagement that occurred between the army of Owain Glyndwr and the forces under the command of Sir Edward Mortimer, in which the latter was taken prisoner, with the loss of 1100 of his men. This battle, which is noticed by Shakspeare in his First Part of Henry IV., was fought on the 22nd June, 1402. It is said to have commenced on a hill, or hilly common, about half a mile north of the church, called Bryngl�s, and to have raged in the peaceful valley below; but the great dramatist has taken the liberty of changing the scene from the banks of the meandering L�g, to those of the distant Severn. There are circular intrenchments in that part of the vale bordering on the river, and tradition says that these were occupied by Mortimer's forces previous to the engagement. The parish is situated on the river L�g, and extends for about three miles in length, and a mile and a half in breadth: the surface is boldly undulated; the greater portion of the land is inclosed, and in a tolerable state of cultivation, and the soil, especially in the lower grounds, is fertile and productive. Near the church is an interesting brick mansion, of the Elizabethan period, now occupied by a farmer.

The living is a perpetual curacy, annexed to the vicarage of Llangunllo, and endowed with �800 royal bounty. The church, dedicated to St. Mary, is an ancient structure chiefly of Decorated character, situated on a slight eminence, close to the base of a hill that overlooks the adjoining sequestered vale, along which flows the river L�g. It measures fifty-five feet long, by twenty-one feet wide, externally; and consists of a nave, chancel, a tower at the west end, and a south porch. Modern alterations have much disfigured the sacred fabric, but it still contains some interesting architectural features, among which may be mentioned the fine square-panelled wooden roof of the nave, the north and south windows of the chancel, a small piscina, and several inscribed slabs. In digging out graves in the churchyard, great quantities of human bones are always discovered; and there can be little doubt, that this spot was chosen as the resting-place for many of those who fell in the severe conflict above noticed. The poor children of the parish are entitled to gratuitous instruction in the school founded at Whitton, by Dame Anna Child, of this place, who endowed it with �500, with which lands were purchased now producing a rent of more than �100, and under the provisions of whose will a child of Pilleth is annually apprenticed, with a premium of �8. On a common in the northern part of the parish are a few scattered houses, forming a place called H�ndre'r Genau. In the churchyard is a well, the water of which is said to be peculiarly efficacious in the cure of all diseases of the eye.

Post this page to:

Comments

Name

E-mail (Will not appear online)

Title

Comment

All copyrights acknowledged with thanks to Wikipedia. Another site by 3Cat Design 2006-2008
Whilst we try to give accurate information, we accept no liability for loss or incorrect information listed on this site or from material embedded on this site from external sources such as YouTube.
If you do spot a mistake, please let us know.
Email: [email protected]