Man in the Iron Mask

The Man in the Iron Mask was a prisoner of state held in four successive French prisons, including the Bastille, for 34 years from 1669 until his death in 1703. His true identity remains a mystery, with various theories proposed by historians, including that he was an Italian diplomat, a Marshal of France, or an illegitimate brother of Louis XIV. The prisoner was labelled "only a valet" and was jailed for "what he was employed to do", but his face was covered with a mask to conceal his identity. Official documents reveal that he was made to cover his face only when travelling between prisons after 1687, and modern historians believe this measure was imposed solely to increase the jailer's prestige. Despite numerous theories and speculations, the prisoner's identity remains unknown.learn more on wikipedia