This is the name of a field on the side of Pinnow, a hill in
Lothersdale, in Craven; and is said to have derived its name from the
following singular circumstance. A native of the valley was once, at the
dead of night, crossing the field with a pig which he had stolen from a
neighbouring farmyard; he led the obstinate animal by a rope tied to its
leg, which was noosed at the end where the thief held it. On coming to a
ladder-style in the field, being a very corpulent man, and wishing to
have both hands at liberty, but not liking to release the pig, he
transferred the rope from his hands to his neck; but when he reached the
topmost step his feet slipped, the pig pulled hard on the other side,
the noose tightened, and on the following morning he was found dead. I
believe this story to be a fact; it was told me by an aged man, who said
it happened in his father’s time.