PISTILL (PISTYLL), a parish, in the union of PWLLHELI, hundred of DINLLAEN, county of CARNARVON, NORTH WALES, 7 miles (N.
by W.) from Pwllheli  containing 514 inhabitants. This parish, situated on the shore of Carnarvon bay, comprises a small
mountainous district, the entire surface of which is dreary, rugged, and barren; and the scenery derives the little-
interest it possesses from the vicinity of the bay. There is no village, the houses being entirely scattered. Near the
church is a modern farm-house, built upon the site of an ancient mansion: the proprietor of this farm, comprising two
hundred acres of land, pays only one shilling modes for tithes, in consideration of the smallness of which charge he is
compelled toprovide bread and cheese, with good ale, or mead, for all persons who shall have crossed the pass leading
through the mountains of Yr Eivl, on their way to the market-town of Nevin. The return of the rateable annual value of the
parish amounts to £1128. 3. The living is a perpetual curacy, annexed to the rectory of Edern: the tithes have been
commuted for a rent-charge of £142. The church, in which divine service is performed only on every third Sunday, is a
small edifice, situated under a high rock, and upon the verge da precipice overlooking the sea. There are two places of
worship for Calvinistic Methodists; one at a place called Llithvaen, and the other, to which a school is attached, near
the church. A day school affords instruction to about 45 children at the expense of their parents; and about 70 males and
females are gratuitously taught in a Sunday school. To the east of the church is a vale called Nant Gwrtheirn, or "the
Vale of Vortigern," to which that prince is said to have retreated for shelter from infuriated nfuriated subjects, and
where he built a castle, which is reported to have been destroyed by lightning. This narrow vale lies between Craig-y-Llan
and Yr Eivl, and is accessible only by sea  the sides are bounded by barren and rugged rocks, on which not a blade of
vegetation is seen. At one extremity rises the loftiest peak of Yr Eivl, and the only opening is towards the sea, by which
it is bounded on the north; the sole agricultural produce of the vale is oats. Near the shore is a verdant mound, said to
have been the site of Vortigern's castle; and near it was formerly a tumulus, designated Bedd Gwrtheirn, or " Vortigern's
Grave," in which was found a stone coffin, containing human bones. No traces of these relics are now visible, but the spot
is still pointed out where that unfortunate prince, who met his death in this retired spot, in 464, was interred.