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==Introduction==__NOTOC__[[File: Man in the Iron Mask.jpg|200px|thumb|left|A 19th-century drawing of the Man in the Iron Mask]]The Man in the Iron Mask is a name given to a mysterious prisoner in seventeenth-century France. The His identity of this prisoner was not has never been established, and this mysterious individual has intrigued writers and others since the early 1700s. Alexander Dumas wrote about him in one of his novels, which has been adapted into several movies. Once it was believed that the story was only a myth, a literary fiction but it is now accepted that the unknown prisoner was a historical figure. The name of the inmate was kept an official secret, and this has spawned a debate as to his real identity.  The riddle of the identity of the Man in the Iron Mask is something that has fascinated writers of the stature of Voltaire. In the 19th century, Alexander Dumas wrote about him in one of his novels, which has been adapted into several movies. This article will examine the background to the story and narrate what is known for a fact about this mysterious prisoner. Then it will offer an overview of some of the main theories on the name identity of the convict and the reasons as to why he was incarcerated. [[File: Man in the Iron Mask.jpg|200px|thumb|left|A 19th-century drawing of the Man in the Iron Mask]] ====The historical background==The Man in the Iron Mask was confined in the French penal system between 1669 and 1703, the year in which he died. At this time, France was ruled by Louis XIV (1638-1715), who is often known as the ‘Sun King’. He was monarch of France from a very young age. In his childhood, his realm was engulfed by civil wars, known as the Frondes, and they shaped the philosophy of Louis XIV. When he became king, Louis set out to become the absolute ruler of the state and he brooked no opposition. He curtailed the power of the nobility and the cities. Louis even quarrelled with the Pope and limited the influence of the Church in France. The king made his kingdom the greatest nation in Europe, and he initiated a golden age in the arts and culture. He was the monarch who built the great palace at Versailles, near Paris. However. Louis was an autocrat and he dominated the state and his word was the law. Anyone who offended his Royal Majesty or disobeyed his wishes could face banishment or imprisonment. There is evidence that suggests that Louis XIV was responsible for the imprisonment of the Man in the Iron Mask. The detention of a man without trial or any public record is typical of the authoritarianism of the Sun King. ==

==The Man in the Iron Mask==The latest research based on material released by was confined in the French penal system between 1669 and 1703, the National Archives year in Paris in 2015, has added much to our knowledge of the mysterious individualwhich he died. All we know about the enigmatic prisoner At this time, France was ruled by Louis XIV (1638-1715), who is from often known as the correspondence ‘Sun King’. He was monarch of France from a very young age. In his childhood, his realm was engulfed by civil wars, known as the jail governor Bénigne d'Auvergne de Saint-Mars Frondes, and an inventory of they shaped the goods philosophy of the inmateLouis XIV. In 1669  When he was governor of became king, Louis set out to become the prison absolute ruler of Pignerol which is today near Turn, Italy but in the seventeenth century was part state and he brooked no opposition. He curtailed the power of the Kingdom of Francenobility and the cities. A Royal minister gave Louis even quarreled with the Pope and limited the governor a set influence of strict instructions with regard as to how the prisoner be treated <ref> Thompson, HarryChurch in France. The king made his kingdom the greatest nation in Europe and initiated a golden age in the arts and culture. The Man in He was the monarch who built the Iron Mask: A historical detective investigation (Londongreat palace at Versailles, Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 1987), p 189</ref>near Paris.  However. These instructions informed the jailer that his new prisoner Louis was not a person of high rank an autocrat and he dominated the state and his word was to be kept in solitary confinement and forbidden to converse with another prisonerthe law. He Anyone who offended his Royal Majesty or disobeyed his wishes could face banishment or imprisonment. There is evidence that suggests that Louis XIV was to be kept locked behind a number responsible for the imprisonment of doors so that he could not communicate with anyone else the Man in the prisonIron Mask. The jailer himself was under strict instruction not to speak with him. It was made clear that he was detention of a prisoner man without trial or any public record is typical of state and this meant that he had no legal rights and was completely under the jurisdiction authoritarianism of the monarch <ref>.Thompson, p 189</ref>Sun King.  ====The name of Man in the prisoner Iron Mask====The latest research based on material released by the document was Eustache Dauger and it appears that he was arrested National Archives in Calais or Dunkirk, both ports Paris in the North of France2015, and this may indicate that has added much to our knowledge of the prisoner had been trying to flee to Englandmysterious individual. In August 1669, All we know about the individual was sent all enigmatic prisoner is from the way across France to correspondence of the prisonjail governor Bénigne d'Auvergne de Saint-fortress at Pignerol. This prison was one Mars and an inventory of the most notorious in France because it held so many inmates that were considered to be politically sensitivegoods of the inmate. In 1669 he was governor of the prison of Pignerol held only a few dozen inmates including a former Finance Minister and a noble who became engaged to which is today near Turin, Italy but in the seventeenth century was part of the King’s cousin without his consentKingdom of France. The prisoner known as Dauger was despite A Royal minister gave the orders governor a set of strict instructions with regard as to how the Minister in Paris, able to mingle with other prisonersprisoner be treated. However<ref> Thompson, it appears that he was kept under strict surveillance at all timesHarry. He was The Man in the valet to an imprisoned Minister for a time and was a model Iron Mask: A historical detective investigation (London, Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 1987), p 189</ref>  The jailer was informed that his new prisoner and it appears that he was not a very religious manperson of high rank and was to be kept in solitary confinement and forbidden to converse with any other person, no exceptions. Saint-Mars He was later appointed the governor of Sainte-Marguerite to be kept locked behind several doors so that he could not communicate with anyone else in prison on one of the Lérins Islands, off the Rivera coast. He took the prisoner known as Dauger with him and one inmate who had apparently communicated The jailer himself was under strict instruction not to speak with him. During It was made clear that he was a prisoner of state and this meant that he had no legal rights and was completely under the journey from Pingerol to jurisdiction of the island prison stores circulated about an inmate who was masked monarch.<ref> WilliamsonThompson, H.R., Who was p 189</ref>  The name of the Man in prisoner on the Iron Mask?: And Other Historical Mysteries (Londondocument was Eustache Dauger, Penguinand it appears that he was arrested in Calais or Dunkirk, 2002)both ports in the North of France, p 19</ref>. It appears that Dauger was masked at all times and this may indicate that he wore a velvet maskthe prisoner had been trying to flee to England. It should be noted that Voltaire claimed that In August 1669, the inmate did not wear a velvet mask but individual was sent across France to the prison-fortress at Pignerol. This prison was one that was made of iron and which prevented him from speaking and this claim was later popularized by Alexander Dumasthe most notorious in France because it held so many inmates that were considered to be politically sensitive. Pignerol held only a few dozen inmates including a former Finance Minister and a noble who became engaged to the King’s cousin without his consent. The convict prisoner known as Dauger was detained on despite the island until 1689 when his jailer was transferred to orders of the notorious Bastille Minister in Paris, able to mingle with other prisoners. He  However, it appears that he was kept in under strict surveillance at all times. He was the valet to an imprisoned Minister for a tower time and in solitary confinement was a model prisoner, and his food was delivered to him by it appears that he was a very religious man. Saint-Mars was later appointed the Deputy Governor governor of the Sainte-Marguerite prison <ref>Williamsonon one of the Lérins Islands, p 36</ref>off the Rivera coast. His cell was spartan He took the prisoner known as Dauger with him and he one inmate who had little food and he must have endured a wretched existencecommunicated with him. The inmate known as Dauger died apparently alone in November 1703. He had spent 34 years in During the journey from Pingerol to the island prisonstores circulated about an inmate who was masked. Interestingly he was buried under the name of Marchioly<ref> Williamson, and not DaugerH.R. His former cell , Who was strippedthe Man in the Iron Mask?: And Other Historical Mysteries (London, and its walls whitewashed Penguin, 2002), p 19</ref>  It appears that Dauger was masked at all his belongings were burned times and any metal items that he touched or owned melted downwore a velvet mask. By his death it seems It should be noted that Voltaire claimed that many people had become aware of the Man in the Iron Mask and his life and alleged crimesinmate did not wear a velvet mask, became a subject but Alexander Dumas later popularized one that was made of gossip iron and inspired many conspiracy theories <ref>, Williamson, pwhich prevented him from speaking and this claim. 134</ref>. [[File:File The convict was detained on the island until 1689 when his jailer was transferred to the notorious Bastille in Paris.png|200px|thumb|left|alt text]]==The Royal Theory==In He was kept in a tower and solitary confinement, and his food was delivered to him by the years after the death Deputy Governor of the prisoner in a bare prison.<ref>Williamson, p. 36</ref> His cellwas spartan, there emerges a number of theories as to the identity of the prisonerand he had little food, and he must have endured a wretched existence. Many assumed that there was some sort of a relationship between the king and the prisoner The inmate known as Dauger died alone in November 1703. One that was proposed He had spent 34 years in the 18th century prison. Interestingly he was that buried under the prisoner was the elder twin name of Louis XIV Marchioly, and this not Dauger. His former cell was popularized by Dumas in stripped, and its walls whitewashed the warders burned all his novel<ref> Topin, Marius Jean Françoisbelongings. The Man with By the Iron Mask (Londontime of his death, Smithit seems that many people had become aware of the Man in the Iron Mask and his life and alleged crimes, Elder became a subject of gossip and Company, 1870), inspired many conspiracy theories.<ref>Williamson, p 114. 134</ref>. He was kept in an iron mask so that no-one would recognize him. If he was he could become  ====The Royal Theory====In the years after the king. According to this theorydeath of the prisoner in a bare cell, Louis XIV was not able to bring himself there emerge several theories as to kill his twin and devised the idea identity of imprisoning him and disguising his identitythe prisoner. There are several writers who believe Many assumed that there was some sort of a relationship between the disguised inmate who died alone in king and the Bastille prisoner. One that was, proposed in reality, the real father 18th century was that the prisoner was the elder twin of Louis XIVand therefore the legitimate monarch. The ‘Sun King’ This was born to Louis XIII (1601-1643) and popularized by Dumas in his wife of Anne of Austria (1615-1666)novel. There are those who have speculated that Louis XIII could not have children and that Anne of Austria had taken a lover<ref> Topin, who was Marius Jean François. The Man with the real father of the future ‘Sun King’. Iron Mask (London, Smith, Elder and Company, 1870), p 114</ref> He was imprisoned and kept in isolation an iron mask so that he no-one would recognize him. According to this theory, Louis XIV was not tell anyone that he was the former lover of the Queen able to bring himself to kill his twin and devised the real father idea of Louis XIVimprisoning him and disguising his identity. Voltaire argued Several writers believe that the mysterious prisoner was disguised inmate who died alone in the illegitimate half-brother Bastille was, in reality, the real father of the king who ruled France for so many decades <ref>Topin, p 119</ref>. The great philosopher stated that the masked inmate Louis XIV. The ‘Sun King’ was born from an affair between the powerful Cardinal Mazarin (1602to Louis XIII (1601-16611643) and Queen his wife of Anne of Austria(1615-1666).  There is no real evidence are those who have speculated that Louis XIII could not have children and that Anne had taken a lover, who was the Man in real father of the Mask future ‘Sun King’. This individual was related to the French Royal Family <ref>Topin, p 156</ref>. It is highly unlikely imprisoned and kept in isolation so that he was the twin would not tell anyone that he was the former lover of the Queen and the birth father of Louis XIV or his natural father. The main argument against this is the fact Voltaire argued that the mysterious prisoner known as Dauger or Marchioly served as a valet during his time in prison, based on official records. Seventeenthwas the illegitimate half-century France was obsessed with status and it would have been unthinkable for a member brother of the Royal family to work as a servantking who ruled France for so many decades. It would not only have dishonored him but every Royal. Despite the popularity of the theory<ref>Topin, it seems highly unlikely p 119</ref> The great philosopher stated that the prisoner masked inmate was related to born from an affair between the French monarchpowerful Cardinal Mazarin (1602-1661) and Queen Anne of Austria. ==An Italian diplomat==In the 19th century, many writers focused on another candidate, as to who was There is no real evidence that the Man in the Iron Mask. This was Count Ercole Antonio Mattioli, a leading diplomatrelated to the French Royal Family. He was paid<ref>Topin, a small fortune by the French to help them to secure a key fortress in Italy by diplomatic means. Mattioli p 156</ref> It is highly unlikely that he was able to persuade the Duke twin of Mantua to give up Louis XIV or his natural father. The main argument against this is the fortress to fact that the French in return for prisoner known as Dauger or Marchioly served as a generous paymentvalet during his time in prison, based on official records. The Italian Count Seventeenth-century France was duplicitousobsessed with status, and he informed the arch-enemies it would have been unthinkable for a member of Louis XIV, the Spanish of the deal and they tried Royal family to stop the French from occupying the key stronghold <ref>Williamson, p 156</ref>work as a servant. It would not only have dishonored him but every Royal. When Despite the French king heard popularity of this he grew outraged and he is alleged the theory, it seems highly unlikely that the prisoner was related to have had the Count imprisoned and placed in a mask. Yet the evidence for this is scant and thought to be unreliableFrench monarch.  ====An Italian diplomat====[[File: Man in the Iron Mask 3.jpg|200px|thumb|left| The Man in the Iron Mask’s first prison]] ==The real Eustache Dauger==Seventeenth In the 19th century France , many writers argued that an Italian aristocrat was a pleasure-loving society especially. The elite the Man in Paris the Iron Mask. This was notorious for their scandalous lifestyles and their extravaganceCount Ercole Antonio Mattioli, something that not even Louis XIV could halta leading diplomat. One notorious figure at this time was Eustache Dauger de Cavoye. This is He was paid, a small fortune by coincidence almost the same name as the Man French to help them to secure a key fortress in Italy by diplomatic means. Mattioli was able to persuade the Iron Mask, according Duke of Mantua to official documents. The infamous Dauger de Cavoye was involved give up the fortress to the French in several sex scandals and even return for a murder <ref>Thompson, p 188</ref>generous payment. However The Italian Count was duplicitous, and he informed the arch-enemies of Louis XIV, it may have been his role in the Affair Spanish of the Poisons that may have landed him in jaildeal and they tried to stop the French from occupying the key stronghold. The Affair of the Poisons was a scandal that involved aristocrats murdering rivals with poison. These individuals were also accused of witchcraft<ref>Williamson, holding black masses and even allegations p 156</ref> When the French king heard of Satanismthis he grew outraged and he is alleged to have had the Count imprisoned and placed in a mask. Recent research has shown that Yet the evidence for this is scant and thought to be unreliable. ====The real Eustache Dauger de Cavoye died of alcoholism sometime in the 1680s. Some researchers have claimed that the Eustache Dauger, named in official documents as the prisoner, ====Seventeenth century France was, in reality, a valet to the great Cardinal Mazarinpleasure-loving and decadent society. When Louis XIV The elite in Paris was a childnotorious for their scandalous lifestyles and their extravagance, and too young to rule, Mazarin something that not even Louis XIV could halt. One notorious figure at this time was the Eustache Dauger de-facto ruler of the kingdomCavoye. He was allegedly very corrupt and reputed to be This is by coincidence almost the lover of Anne of Austria. There are some who believe that same name as the Man in the Iron Mask was the Dauger who was the valet , according to the powerful Cardinalofficial documents. It is speculated that the valet found out some secret about Mazarin’s financial dealings or about his alleged affair with the mother of Louis XIVThe infamous de Cavoye was involved in several sex scandals and even a murder. The fact that he worked as a servant during <ref>Thompson, p 188</ref> However, it may have been his captivity makes this theory one role in the Affair of the most plausible Poisons that may have landed him in jail. This was a scandal that involved aristocrats murdering rivals with poison. These individuals were also accused of witchcraft, holding black masses and even allegations of Satanism.  Recent research has shown that Dauger de Cavoye died of alcoholism sometime in the 1680s. Some researchers have claimed that the Eustache Dauger, named in official documents as the prisoner, was, in reality, a valet to the great Cardinal Mazarin. When Louis XIV was a child, and too young to rule, Mazarin was the de-facto ruler of the kingdom. He was allegedly very corrupt and reputed to be the lover of Anne of Austria. There are some who believe that the Man in the Iron Mask was the Dauger who was the valet to the powerful Cardinal. It is speculated that the valet found out some secret about Mazarin’s financial dealings or about his alleged affair with the mother of Louis XIV. The fact that he worked as a servant during his captivity makes this theory one of the most plausible.<ref>Sonnio, Paul, In search of the Man in the Iron Mask (California, Faculty Books, 2017)<ref>Sonnio, Paul, In search of the Man in the Iron Mask (California, Faculty Books, 2017)</ref>. /ref> ====Conclusion==Conclusion==

 ====Further Reading====

====References====<references/>{{Mediawiki:NativeAds}}[[Category:Wikis]] [[Category:French History]] [[Category:Historically Accurate]]{{Contributors}}