He died on 19 November 1703 under the name Marchioly, during the reign of King Louis XIV of France (1643–1715). In a 1965 essay Le Masque de fer,[8] French novelist Marcel Pagnol, supporting his theory in particular on the circumstances of King Louis XIV's birth, claims that the Man in the Iron Mask was indeed a twin but born second, and hence the younger, and would have been hidden in order to avoid any dispute over the throne holder. By all accounts, it was a debauched affair of merry-making, with the men involved in all sorts of sordid activities, including attacking a man who claimed to be Cardinal Mazarin's attorney. Saint-Mars was to see Dauger only once a day to provide food and whatever else he needed. Later, many people such as Voltaire and Alexandre Dumas[7] suggested other theories about the man in the mask. He spent 34 years incarcerated, under the watch of Bénigne Dauvergne de Saint-Mars. © 2021 A&E Television Networks, LLC. The rebellion failed and Monmouth was executed in 1685. The prison's second-in-command, de Rosarges, was to feed him. Even more convincing is that Louis XV and Louis XVI both supposedly said the Mask was an Italian nobleman. In fact the weekend of it's release, 'The Man In The Iron Mask' and 'Titanic' tied each other for the #1 spot in the North American box office, giving Leonardo DiCaprio the two biggest movies in America. The Man in the Iron Mask is a 1998 American action drama film directed, produced and written by Randall Wallace, and starring Leonardo DiCaprio in a dual role as the title character and villain, Jeremy Irons as Aramis, John Malkovich as Athos, Gérard Depardieu as Porthos and Gabriel Byrne as D'Artagnan. Homme au Masque de Fer = The Man in the Iron Mask, Alexandre Dumas The Man in the Iron Mask, is the name given to an unidentified prisoner who was arrested in 1669 or 1670 and subsequently held in a number of French prisons, including the Bastille and the Fortress of Pignerol. It is an important point that the man in the mask served as a valet. [citation needed], In the 1930s, historian Maurice Duvivier linked Eustache Dauger de Cavoye to the Affair of the Poisons, a notorious scandal of 1677–1682 in which people in high places were accused of being involved in black mass and poisonings. The legend of the Three Musketeers continues in Randall Wallace's The Man in the Iron Mask. Covers the years 1661-1673. Vladislav Tchakarov Send an email. There is no record as to what happened to Dauger, but in 1665, near the Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye, he allegedly killed a young page boy in a drunken brawl involving the Duc de Foix. At the time, the heir presumptive was Louis XIII's brother Gaston, Duke of Orléans, who was Richelieu's enemy. Historians have also argued that 17th-century protocol made it unthinkable that a man of royal blood would serve as a manservant, casting some doubt on speculation that Dauger was in some way related to the king.[3]. Some were presented after the existence of the letters was widely known. The French took possession of Casale two years later.[5]. Hundreds of different candidates have been proposed ranging from a member of the royal family to a disgraced French general and even the playwright Molière. He would supposedly later conspire with Roux de Marcilly against King Louis XIV, and be arrested in Calais in 1669. The Man In The Iron Mask (1977) (387) IMDb 6.7 1 h 41 min 1977 7+ Dumas' classic about good and evil twin brothers: the imprisoned man in the hideous iron mask and his foppish, elegant twin brother, King Louis XIV of France. among other things, that a black mass was enacted and that a pig was baptized as carp in order to allow them to eat pork on Good Friday. The masked prisoner died on 19 November 1703 and was buried the next day under the name of Marchioly. Supposedly, the substitute father then left for the Americas but in the 1660s returned to France with the aim of extorting money for keeping his secret, and was promptly imprisoned. The records show that during the inquiry the investigators were told about a supplier of poisons, a surgeon named Auger, and Duvivier became convinced that Dauger de Cavoye, disinherited and short of money, had become Auger, the supplier of poisons, and subsequently Dauger, the man in the mask. In it, the prisoner is forced to wear an iron mask, and is portrayed as Louis XIV's identical twin. While Dauger is a popular candidate for being the Mask, historians still don’t know who he was or if his name was a pseudonym. The National Archives of France has made the original data available online relating to the inventories of the goods and papers of Saint-Mars (one inventory, of 64 pages, was drawn up at the Bastille in 1708; the other, of 68 pages, at the citadel of Sainte-Marguerite in 1691). If Gaston became king, Richelieu would quite likely have lost both his job as minister and his life, and so it was in his best interests to thwart Gaston's ambitions. In April 1659, Eustache and Guiche were invited to an Easter weekend party at the castle of Roissy-en-Brie. Voltaire claimed that the prisoner was a son of Anne of Austria and Cardinal Mazarin, and therefore an illegitimate half-brother of King Louis XIV. According to this theory, the "miraculous" birth of Louis XIV in 1638 would have come after Louis XIII had been estranged from his wife Anne of Austria for 14 years. Robert Chambers' Book of Days supports the claim and places Matthioli in the Bastille for the last 13 years of his life. In his letters to Louvois, Saint-Mars describes Dauger as a quiet man, giving no trouble, "disposed to the will of God and to the king", compared to his other prisoners, who were always complaining, constantly trying to escape, or simply mad.[5]. Unfortunately, Matthiole likely died in 1694—several years too early for him to be the Mask. The theory then suggests that Cardinal Richelieu, the king's minister, had arranged for a substitute, probably an illegitimate son or grandson of Henry IV, to become intimate with the queen and father an heir in the king's stead. HISTORY reviews and updates its content regularly to ensure it is complete and accurate. D'Artagnan and his fellow Musketeers plot to replace the ineffectual Louis XIV of France with his secretly imprisoned twin brother Philippe who is the firstborn and rightful king. He was placed in a solitary cell in the prefurnished third chamber of the Bertaudière tower. The earliest surviving records of the masked prisoner are from late July 1669, when Louis XIV's minister, the Marquis de Louvois, sent a letter to Bénigne Dauvergne de Saint-Mars, governor of the prison of Pignerol (which at the time was part of France). However, the sincerity of this claim is uncertain. The anonymous prisoner has since inspired countless stories and legends—writings by Voltaire and Alexandre Dumas helped popularized the myth that his mask was made of iron—yet most historians agree that he existed. Matthiole was an Italian count who was abducted and jailed after he tried to double-cross Louis XIV during political negotiations in the late-1670s. Since that time, letters sent by Saint-Mars, which earlier historians missed, indicate that Mattioli was held only at Pignerol and Sainte-Marguerite and was not at Exilles or the Bastille and, therefore, it is argued that he can be discounted. Dauger was not always isolated from the other prisoners. Later, Saint-Mars elaborated upon instructions that the prisoner should not be seen during transportation. An investigation had been launched, but Louis XIV had instigated a cover-up when it appeared that his mistress Madame de Montespan was involved.[5]. Known for remaining unidentified due to the veil worn over his face throughout his time in prison, he was held in the custody of the same jailer, Bénigne Dauvergne de Saint-Mars, for a period of 34 years. His book,[18] published in English in 1826, was translated into French and published in 1830. 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