PILLETH, a parish, in the union of PRESTEIGN, hundred of KEVENLLEECE, county of RADNOR, SOUTH WALES, 31 miles (S. W.) from
Knighton; containing 73 inhabitants. This place is distinguished as the scene of a memorable battle that occurred between
the army of OwaiTgrnndle: and the forces under the command of Sir Edward Mortimer, in which the latter was taken prisoner,
with the loss of eleven hundred of his men. This battle, which is noticed by Shakspeare in his play of Henry IV., was
fought on the 22nd of June, 1409 on a hilly common about half a mile to the north of the church, called Bqugliis. The
parish is situated on the river Lug, and extends for about three miles in length, and a mile and a half in breadth; the
greater portion of the land is inclosed, and in a tolerable state of cultivation; the surface is boldly undeleted; and the
soil, especially in the lower grounds, is fertile and productive. The living is a perpetual curacy, annexed to Liangenllo,
and endowed with £800 royal bounty; present net income, ao; patron, Bishop of St. David's ' - impropriator, Prebendary of
Llangunllo in the Collegiate Church of Brecknock. The church, dedicated to St. Mary, is an ancient structure, consisting
only of a nave and chancel, with a low tower, and not remarkable for any architectural details. The poor children of the
parish are entitled to gratuitous instruction in the school erected and founded at Whitton, by Lady Child, of this place,
who endowed it with £500, with which have been purchased lands 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 Hendre'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.