Twysden Brothers

There are three memorials in the nave of Westminster Abbey to Josiah, Heneage and John Twysden, all sons of Sir William Twysden and his wife Frances. All were re-arranged and restored in 1904 and the coat of arms once below Heneage's memorial is now set above the cartouches - "gyrony of four argent and gules, a saltire between as many cross crosslets, all counter changed of the field".

Josiah Twysden

A small white marble cartouche whose Latin inscription can be translated:

Josiah Twysden, son of Sir William Twysden, Baronet, and Frances his wife, who in the expedition, being captain at the siege of the castle of Agremont, near Lille in Flanders, was slain by a cannon shot 1708 aged 23 years. His body was carried into the castle and buried with those military honours he well deserved, by the care of that brave youth his brother Heneage Twysden, who, also survived him not long.

Heneage Twysden

A white tablet, once set between two Doric pillars surmounted by an urn until reduced and re-set in 1904. The Latin can be translated:

Sacred to the memory of Heneage Twysden, seventh son of Sir William Twysden, Baronet, and Frances his wife, who, in that bloody fight at Blaaregenies [Malplaquet] in Hainault, while he, as aide-de-camp to the most high and courageous prince, John, duke of Argyll, when leading the first wing of the confederates' army he fell bravely fighting. He was a son not inferior to the best of parents, nor a soldier unworthy of such a leader. At home he was remarkable for his extraordinary temper and benevolence, integrity and modesty, untainted fidelity to his friends, and the utmost duty to God and his parents. In the army, for undaunted courage, unwearied patience in fatigues, and an unshocked soul amidst the view of danger. Adorned with so great and so many virtues private, civil and military, he left the melancholy regret for him to all who were never injured by him, but the most troubled by far to him who mindful of his most pleasant alliance and daily addition to good offices, hath to this ever lamented friend, erected this honorary marble, a small monument of his great love. He died 1709 aged 29 years.

Restored under supervision of James S. Twysden 1904.

John Twysden

A matching cartouche to that of Josiah. The Latin can be translated:

John Twysden, eighth son of Sir William Twysden, Baronet, and Frances his wife, who, in the Admiral's ship, of which he was lieutenant, with Sir Cloudesley Shovel, Admiral of the British Fleet, perished by shipwreck 1707 aged 24. Lest the memory of this excellent youth should at once perish with his body, this cenotaph shall for ever witness the many virtues he had, and the great hopes his parents conceived of him.

The shipwreck was off the Isles of Scilly. Shovell's body was recovered and is buried in the Abbey.