WHO WAS BEHIND THE IRON MASK?

The greatest mysteries of history unveiled

An episode from the series SECRETS OF HISTORY - ENIGMAS

Synopsis

On November 19, 1703, a masked prisoner, with an uncertain identity, died in a cell in the Bastille, after 34 years of incarceration. Even though his iron mask was in reality a regular mask made of velvet, the legend got started set off by an eager Voltaire.

The most romantic version mentions the twin brother of Louis XIV, whose existence would have triggered a succession problem. The names of the flamboyant Duke of Beaufort, the ambitious Nicolas Fouquet and even Molière have been put forward, or was it a valet who just knew too much after having served too many major figures.