‘The Man in the Iron Mask’ (French: L'Homme au Masque de Fer) is a name given to a prisoner first arrested as Eustache Dauger in 1669, held in a number of jails, including the Bastille and the Fortress of Pignerol (today Pinerolo), since he was always held in the custody of Bénigne Dauvergne de Saint-Mars, for a period of (allegedly) 34 years and who died on 19 November, 1703 under the name of Marchioly. This was during the reign of Louis XIV of France 1643-1715; also known as the Sun King (le Roi Soleil). The “Iron Mask” was really made out of velvet.

This suggests that ‘The Man In The Iron Mask’ could have been different men at different times. Rumours circulated about King Louis XIV and his wives – and it could be possible that his wives had different lovers. This boring fact could be the solution to the mystery – the various men who made love to the wives of Louis XIV and who were subsequently imprisoned as ‘The Man in the Iron Mask’. Hardly anything special.

If only we really knew what the dynamics were between King Louis XIV and his wives and mistresses. Of course, we will never know. They never went to Trial when convicted, the men in the “Iron Masks”.

The Prison Timeline runs as follows:

Arrested as Eustache Dauger on 28 July 1669
1669...Pignerol
1683...Exilles
1687...Iles de Sainte-Marguerite
1698...Bastille
Died 19 November 1703, buried named Marchioly

This means that potentially four different prisoners could have been imprisoned at four different jails wearing a mask. The use of the mask would have made it impossible to know if it was always the same person.

The idea that Pierre Plantard is the Centre of the Universe is hilarious! The convoluted “connections” can be easily dismissed for what they are.