The Man in the Iron Mask

One of the most infamous stories in French history is the mystery of the "Man in the Iron Mask". Part truth, mostly fiction, and highly romanticized, this yarn has been spun throughout the centuries like the quintessential game of "telephone"; beginning with a fact that becomes riddled with falsehoods as it is passed from mouth to ear. It's a good yarn, who amongst us hasn't thrilled to the swashbuckling adventures of Alexandre Dumas' "Les Trois Mousquetaires" , chivalrous members of the King's Guard who went rogue and saved France from her despotic monarchy! This was all I knew on the subject until a recent rendezvous with Madame M. Enjoying vacation photographs over a cup of tea and a delicious tarte, she pointed out the island prison of the legendary Masque de Fer. "It is a true story?" I exclaimed, and Madame M confirmed that in fact, it was. "Yes, ee woz eempreezoned by Loo-ee Cat-orz" she explained, "but nobody knows oo ee woz". This got my ever curious mind spinning - who could he have been, and what is a logical motive? Inquiring minds want to know! It seemed logical that he could have been some relation to the King who could possibly usurp the throne - or was it? Wouldn't Louis have simply ordered the "permanent disappearance" of such a threat as this? I decided to use the internet to search for an answer. The following is a short documentary I discovered on YouTube that addresses the myths, and follows the trail of evidence back in time to reveal the true identity of the Man in the Iron Mask. I hope you enjoy it.