Heraldic panels displaying the arms of the reigning monarch became mandatory in English churches after the Reformation, symbolising loyalty to the crown and the authority of the monarch over the church. Most surviving examples date from the TUDOR, C16, and C17 periods, though earlier heraldic imagery appears in medieval STAINED GLASS and TILES. Their placement above chancel arches or near PULPIT reflects the shift toward scriptural and civic identity in post‑medieval worship.

Their bold heraldry contrasts with the narrative imagery of WALL PAINTINGS or the sculptural detail of CARVINGS. In some churches, Royal Arms appear alongside HATCHMENT or near MONUMENT, forming part of a broader commemorative and heraldic tradition. Although they mark a decisive break from the richly symbolic world of the MEDIEVAL church, they often coexist with surviving medieval features such as ROOD SCREEN or MISERICORDS, creating a layered visual history.