What are armorial coat of arms plaques and where did they come from?

Armorial coat of arms plaques are decorative displays of heraldic designs, and the phrase armorial coat of arms plaques appears in records from medieval Europe as early as the 12th century. These plaques developed from battlefield shields used by knights, where bold symbols helped identify allies during combat. Over time, the same designs moved from shields to fixed displays in homes, castles, and churches. By the 1200s, heraldry had become a formal system, with rules governing colours and symbols. In England, the College of Arms, established in 1484, recorded and regulated these designs. Plaques became a permanent way to show family identity, especially among nobles. Many early plaques were carved from stone or wood, and some surviving examples are over 700 years old. During the 16th and 17th centuries, they became common in manor houses. These plaques served both decorative and practical roles, preserving lineage in a time when written records were limited and often incomplete.