"St. Augustine destroyed the idol Heil or Heile, or, according to Leland, Helith, the Saxon Æsculapius, or preserver of health, who was worshipped here at that time. This saint's company being weary and thirsty, he stuck his staff in the ground, and fetched out a crystal fountain, whence this Place was called Cernel, from Cerno and El. Fuller thinks it should be Cerneswell, behold the fountain, or Cerne Heal, i.e., see the destruction of the idol.-- Author of Flores Sanctorum in Life of St. Augustine (pp. 515, 516) ; Fuller's Ch. Hist. (pp. 66, 67) ; Dugdale (ii. 621)."
Hope 1893
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