Not all of the stained glass heraldry in the windows of York Minster is placed in shield shapes. Sometimes, it is used simply as a decorative element to frame or set off the events being told in the main panels.
For example:
Here's a three-panel window that has a lot going on, none of which at first glance appears to be heraldic. But if you look a little closer:
And even here, it might assist for you to click on the image above to see a larger photograph with more detail.
If you study the borders of the left and right panels, even going up around the circles at the top of each light, you will quickly note that they consist of alternating rectangles of glass of two coats of arms which we have seen elsewhere in the Minster: those of Mowbray, Gules a lion rampant argent (yes, I know that some of the panes look more sable than gules. Nonetheless, close inspection shows that they are more red than black); and Clare, Or three chevrons gules.
Turning your attention to the central panel, the borders contain the arms of England, Gules three lions passant guardant in pale or, and what I believe are meant to be the attributed arms of King Arthur, Azure three crowns or.
And there you have it! Coats of arms not on shields in some of the stained glass windows of York Minster.
How about that?
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