The London scandal, which has sent shockwaves through the city’s upper echelons, involves the enigmatic figure of Lola Montez, now believed to be a woman named Eliza Gilbert. The court proceedings have unveiled a web of deceit, false identities, and high society connections that have left Londoners questioning the true identity and origins of the woman in question.

With the upcoming resumption of the magisterial hearings scheduled for Wednesday, a marriage certificate was produced in the court that describes the woman at the centre of the scandal as “Swame Princess Editha Loilito, Baroness Rosenthal, Countess Landfield, aged 44, native of Florence, Italy, and daughter of Louis, First King of Bavaria, and Lob Montez.” This description has set off a frenzy of speculation as to what role Lola Montez – and her possible aliases – may have played in the high society circles of the time.

Some accounts suggest that Lola Montez was born in Limerick around 1824, her father being a Spaniard and her mother a Creole. However, more recent sources, such as the late Wm. Brockie in his volume of “Sunderland Notables,” claims that she was born in India to a British officer father. This alternative account also names the woman as Eliza Gilbert and asserts that she spent some of her formative years in Monkwearmouth. This alleged connection to the city has piqued the interest of Wearsiders in the ongoing scandal and courtroom proceedings.

According to Brockie, Lola Montez visited Sunderland during a lecturing tour and was recognized by some of her old schoolfellows, whom she acknowledged as acquaintances. It is difficult to determine how much weight should be given to Brockie’s account, but he did have the testimony of individuals who claimed that Eliza Gilbert adopted the name Montez and later reinvented herself as a Spanish dancer.

If this version of events is accurate, the trial of Lola Montez’s daughter in London becomes even more intriguing for the people of Wearside. The question remains: who is the true Lola Montez? Is she the illegitimate daughter of a Bavarian king or simply Eliza Gilbert, a cunning manipulator of identities who managed to infiltrate the highest circles of society?

Throughout the court proceedings, witnesses have come forward to testify against Lola Montez, recounting how they had been deceived by her various personas. Her uncanny ability to move from one identity to another and leave a trail of confusion fueled further interest from the London public in her duplicitous exploits. Newspaper headlines sensationalized her daring escapades and portrayed her as a femme fatale whose beauty and charm had ensnared some of London’s most prominent figures.

The unravelling of this complex web of deceit, with Lola Montez at the centre, leaves the London public craving answers. Will the resumption of the magisterial hearings on Wednesday finally reveal the truth about this enigmatic figure? What other secrets may come to light as the trial progresses, and how will the knowledge of her true identity impact London’s high society circles? The scandal has captivated the city, with many eagerly anticipating the next chapter in this unfolding drama.

To the people of Wearside, the possible connection of Lola Montez, or Eliza Gilbert, to their region only serves to heighten their own curiosity and fascination with the case. As speculation swirls and the trial continues, they eagerly await the answers that the court may provide.

Lola Montez remains a figure shrouded in mystery and intrigue, her multiple personas and alleged foreign connections prompting endless debate about her true identity. The London scandal continues to capture the imagination of the public, leaving many wondering what other twists and turns this tale of deception, high society, and scandal may yet reveal.

As the city of London, and especially the people of Wearside, waits with bated breath for the resumption of the magisterial hearings, one thing is certain: the true identity and story of Lola Montez, whether she be a Bavarian princess, a cunning chameleon named Eliza Gilbert, or something else entirely, is destined to be one of the most captivating and enduring scandals of the era.

Sunderland Daily Echo and Shipping Gazette – Tuesday 15 October 1901