The larger of the sandstone blocks were called bibles & the smaller, used while kneeling, called prayer books. Hugill tells of a story that 18th century Brittish Navy & East Indian ships would anchor off Bembridge, Isle of Wight, in the St. Helen's Roads (or Roadstead). Sailors discovered that the nearby ruined St. Helen's church contained blocks of sandstone good for cleaning decks, hence, holystones, I've also read that they resemble small gravestones in appearence & that's another theory. Barry
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