The man in the iron mask has been a historical enigma since the 18th century.
Born circa 1658, he became a prisoner that hopped across the tightest facilities of France his entire life.
But in all this time, his identity remained hidden behind a face mask.
The man was first imprisoned in Pignerol in 1681.
His grave at St Paul cemetery held the name Marchioly and gave his age as about 45.
But speculations about his real name and origins had begun long before his passing.
But why was his identity kept a mystery, and how was it maintained?
The Man in the Iron Mask.
Anonymous print from 1789.
According to the story, the man behind the mask was Gaifer.
Anyone who uncovered the truth was done away with, the secret sent to the grave with him.
As the commander was promoted to governorship of Bastille, Gaffer was transported with him too.
This story had many loopholes though.
For instance, the events during Louis XIVs did coincide with the developments in the story.
The prisoner originally wore only a black velvet mask.
The man in the iron mask in his cell, carving his name on a pewter plate.
His body, however, was never recovereda fact that conveniently aligned with Lagranges story.
The man in the iron mask also became popular in the works of fiction drafted by Alexander Dumas.
Over the years, modern theorists have rejected all these ideas for the immense complications they presented.
By now, the prisoner has become Eustache Dauger, who was a valet.
Whose valet, no one knows.
References:#The Man in the Iron Mask#LiveScience#The Current: UC Santa Barbara
