#1 Man in the Iron Mask' is uncovered by US history professor
Paul Sonnino, a professor of history at the University of California, Santa Barbara, claims he has uncovered the real identity of the mysterious "Man in the Iron Mask" a French prisoner that has baffled historians for 350 years, in his new book.
#2 Real identity of notorious French prisoner
Arrested in 1669, the man was held in the famous Bastille as well as other French jails for more than three decades, until his death in 1703.
Throughout his imprisonment, his face was hidden by a mask, according to Paul Sonnino.
The story was even popularized in the 1998 film "The Man in the Iron Mask," starring Leonardo DiCaprio.
#3 New book reveals all
"Historians are pretty much in agreement that his name was Eustache Dauger, that he occasionally wore the mask, and that when he did wear a mask, it was velvet, not iron," Sonnino said in a statement.
He added: "They are also quite sure that he was a valet.
"What they have not been able to figure out is whose valet he was, and for what possible reason he was held under tight security for over 30 years."
#4 "The Search for the Man in the Iron Mask"
Sonnino identifies why the man was arrested and who he was working for in his new book "The Search for the Man in the Iron Mask".
It has been a mystery that has evaded a number of famous writers and philosophers until now.
In a series of historical records and correspondence with experts, Sonnino reveals to the reader that Dauger was a valet for the treasurer of Cardinal Mazarin, who was principal minister of France during Louis XIV's early life.
Mazarin accumulated a large fortune, and Sonnino believes the valet thought that some of the money was stolen.
"What I was able to determine was that Mazarin had ripped off some of his huge fortune from the previous king and queen of England.
"Dauger must have blabbed at the wrong time."
He was informed, when arrested, that if he revealed his identity to anyone, he would immediately be killed," Sonnino said.
As for why the "Man in the Iron Mask" has remained veiled throughout history, Sonnino said that the blame lies with historians who "insist on making it antiseptic, moralistic, sensible".
"Life does not make sense," Sonnino added.
"Humans are much more complicated than that."
