St Wite's Well, Chardown Hill, Dorset: healing well associated with a Saxon holy woman whose shrine & relics survive in Whitchurch Canonicorum church

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St Wite's Well, Chardown Hill, Dorset: a healing well associated with a Saxon holy woman whose shrine & relics survive in Whitchurch Canonicorum Church one mile to the N. The well was considered "a sovereign cure for sore eyes", best when the sun's rays first light the water. "The wild periwinkles that carpet nearby Stonebarrow Hill every spring, are still known as St Candida's Eyes." Candida or Wite is listed as a virgin martyr, a hermit living at or near the well who was murdered by Danish pirates in the C9th during a raid on Charmouth. Offerings of an ammonite and coins have been placed in the well.

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Size: 3727px × 4961px
Location: St Wite's Well, Chardown Hill, Morcombelake, Bridport, Dorset, England, UK
Photo credit: © Mick Sharp / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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