Dedicatory inscription. An inscription in a church that refers to the donor of the building, or of something within it. Before the Reformation, these asked for prayers for the soul of the donor, and such examples of Catholic theology were vigorously excised by Anglican and Puritan reformers. However, good ones survive around the chancel at Glemsford, the entire church at Long Melford, on the tower at Uggeshall and on the fonts at Orford and Blythburgh, as well as many other places.

Since the Reformation, a dedicatory inscription is more likely to take the form of a memorial, particularly in 19th century stained glass.