THE NORTH RIDING PROJECT

Pistoldale, its name derived from the Old Norse pisl, meaning ‘torment’ or ‘torture’,  is the most remote of all the Fryup valleys.  Its steep-sided gorges were once the solitary preserve of wolves and lynx.  Its only dwelling, Pistol Head Farm, remained without mains water or electricity, and was only accessible on foot.  Its final inhabitant, Solomon Sprule, was the last known person to speak Fryoese, an ancient derivation of Old Norse, as his first language.  His six daughters – Judith, Hannah, Miriam, Delilah, Jael, and Lilith – were home-schooled apocalypticists who believed the end of the world was imminent.  Rare visitors to the farm described the girls as “strange and dark and beautiful”.