Until 1534, the Diocese of Hereford was in full communion with the Roman Catholic Church and two of its bishops were canonised.

Since the accession of Elizabeth I the diocese has again been part of the Church of England and Anglican Communion.

It now covers the whole of the county of Herefordshire, southern Shropshire and a few parishes in Worcestershire, Powys and Monmouthshire.

Among those who have served as assistant bishops of the diocese were: Knowledge of the coats of arms of Bishops of Hereford is necessary for the identification of the patrons or instigators of building works, manuscripts, stained glass windows and other art-works, which frequently bear heraldic imagery with no further identifying marks.

The following list of the blazons of the arms of the Bishops of Hereford (with his sources) was compiled by Rev.