Lucy Weguelin

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Lucy Weguelin (Londen, 27 oktober 1844 – Bath, 1932), more commonly known as Lady Smith, was an immigrant in the "English colony"[1] in Bruges, Belgium. She was part of the inner circle around the famous poet Guido Gezelle.[2] However, her questionable activities and scandalous behavior in Bruges caused quite a stir and significantly contributed to the decision to transfer Guido Gezelle to Courtrai. Weguelin was notorious for her deceitful nature, and her actions seriously tarnished the reputation of Guido Gezelle.

Early Years

Lucy Weguelin was born in 1844 as an illegitimate child of William Andrew Weguelin[3] (1807-1892) and Emma Hankey. She was raised by the affluent Hankey family on her mother's side. Banker Thomson Hankey was her uncle and managed her family's assets. In 1863, out of necessity, she married Ernest Albin Smith and had five children with him: Spencer Francis (London, 1863), Cecile-Ernest (London), Edith-Cathare (London, 1869), Liliane (Bruges, 1872), and Mathilde (Bath, 1873). After her husband had to resign from his position at the postal service due to health reasons, the family embarked on a nomadic journey that took them from city to city, leaving a trail of debt behind each time.

Lady Smith in Bruges

Receipt of Lucy Smith 50 francs to be returned 01/04/1873 (Guido Gezelle Archives, Public Library Bruges, Ref. No. Aanw. 652)

In early 1872, they arrived in Bruges (registered on 6 February 1872). They became neighbors of Guido Gezelle, who became their confidant. He became the godfather of their child Lilian and provided financial support as their debts accumulated once again. Gezelle's reputation was compromised due to their behavior and the gossip of Gezelle's maid, Stéphanie Hendryckx (Bruges, 1839 - ?). He even received a gift of a gold watch that was left unpaid. Rumors even circulated that Weguelin gave birth to daughter Liliane in Gezelle's house. The poet's signature appeared as a witness on the birth certificate as well as on the death certificate of baby Liliane Smith. Bishop Faict forbade further contact with the Smiths and transferred the priest to Coutrai in September 1872. The incident was used by Gezelle's journalistic adversaries to discredit him.[4] The Smiths' belongings were sold.[5] They followed Gezelle to Courtrai a few months later, only to return to Bath at the end of 1873.

Outcome

Ernest Smith departed for Australia in late 1874.[6] Weguelin continued her nomadic life with Charles Bertram (Norwich, 1849). With him, she had two children: Charles Jr. (Ramsgate, 1877) and Hilda (Brighton, 1878). On 10 December 1880, they once again settled in Bruges from Liverpool. In early July 1881, they were evicted from their residence by the Bruges court due to unpaid rent. In 1891, Lucy Smith established herself in Scarborough under the alias Mrs. Brooke. After furnishing her house and living on credit for several months, she disappeared suddenly without repaying her outstanding debts. Census records indicate that Charles and Lucy Bertram were in Cornwall in 1901. They were accompanied by their son Charles Reginald and a maid. By 1911, they had relocated to Bournemouth. In the spring of 1932, Lucy Bertram, Lady Smith, passed away in Bath.

Correspondence with Guido Gezelle

Weguelin and her husband Ernest Smith exchanged letters with the poet Guido Gezelle. He also possessed her poetry album. The original letters are kept in the Guido Gezelle Archives[7] at the Public Library of Bruges.

Lady Smith in Literature

The scandalous aura surrounding Lady Smith became entangled with another set of rumors concerning foreign women in Bruges. This led to speculations about the conduct of priests in Bruges, which political adversaries and novelists were eager to exploit. They were believed to have influenced the character of Jane Scott in Georges Rodenbach's "Bruges La Morte". Michel de Ghelderode also explored this theme. Weguelin is also a subject in the cartoons by Marec.[8]

Sources

  • Plas, Michel van der. Mijnheer Gezelle: biografie van een priester-dichter (1830-1899). 4e dr. Tielt: Lannoo; Baarn, i.e. Amsterdam: Anthos, 1998. 622 p., [16] p. pl.
  • Depuydt, Els. Guido Gezelle en Lady Smith: nieuwe vondsten en feiten. In: Biekorf: 119 (2019) 4, p. 385-403.
  • Sint-Jan, R. van. Guido Gezelle's avonturen in de journalistiek. Tielt; Den Haag: Lannoo, 1954.
  • Depuydt, Els De schandelijke Lady Smith

References

  1. ^ "'Dear Old Bruges'. The English Colony in Bruges in the Nineteenth Century". the low countries. Retrieved 2023-09-30.
  2. ^ "Meet Gezelle". Gezelle. Retrieved 2023-09-30.
  3. ^ "William Andrew Weguelin - National Portrait Gallery". www.npg.org.uk. Retrieved 2023-09-30.
  4. ^ "Jaloerschheid". De Westvlaming (28 September 1872): 3.
  5. ^ "Advertentie". Journal de Bruges (30 August 1872 and 1 September 1872): 6, 3.
  6. ^ "Obituary. Late Mr E.A. Smith. Passing of Pegasus". The Brisbane Courier (22 December 1930): 15.
  7. ^ "Guido Gezelle Archives". Gezelle. Retrieved 2023-09-30.
  8. ^ "Where's Guido?".
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