Robert de Thweng

On the wall of the south aisle of the nave of Westminster Abbey is the painted shield of Robert de Thweng (or Thwing). This shows "argent, a fess gules between three popinjays vert" (although the green colour of the birds has now turned to black). Earlier carved shields and later painted shields in the choir aisles and nave are traditionally those of benefactors who gave money towards the building of Henry III's new Abbey, constructed between 1245 and 1272. Although the nave is much later in date the scheme of remembering benefactors from the earlier reign was carried on. Robert (?1205-1268) of Kilton Castle in north Yorkshire, went on crusade with Richard, Earl of Cornwall, Henry III's brother in law, and led anti-Pope riots. His sons were Marmaduke and Richard.

Further reading for the Thweng family

Oxford Dictionary of National Biography 2004