The Man in the Iron Mask

The Truth about Europe's Most Famous Prisoner

Josephine Wilkinson

$59.95

Hardback

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English

Amberley Publishing
15 August 2021

Biography: historical, political & military; History; Prisons

The Man in the Iron Mask tells the story of Louis XIV's most famous prisoner in history and legend - showing definitively that the Iron Mask was a man named Eustache Danger. It begins with his arrest and early captivity at Pignerol, a sinister state prison with only one other captive: the fallen minister Foucquet. Soon, a third prisoner arrives, Lauzun, and he and Foucquet have a profound influence upon Danger's fate. Danger, who is described as 'only a valet,' goes on to serve Foucquet in his prison apartment, where he enjoys friendly human contact for the first time in several years. Later, Foucquet and Lauzun are allowed to visit each other, but it is essential that Danger and Lauzun do not meet, or that Danger has contact with anyone other than Foucquet and his other valet. Upon Foucquet's death, however, it is discovered that Danger had encountered Lauzun; he and Foucquet's other valet are hidden away in a cell as secret prisoners. When their gaoler is assigned to other fortresses, they go with him; it is now that the legends about the mysterious prisoner begin to emerge. After thirty-four years of imprisonment, Danger dies at the Bastille and is lost to history when he is buried under a false name. Now forgotten, he enters fully the realm of legend as the source of a sinister royal secret. The final chapter discusses how and why Danger became the Man in the Iron Mask, restoring him to his rightful place in history. The history and legend of Europe's most famous prisoner is every bit as fascinating as any of the fictional accounts that have given him life in the popular imagination. It is time his story was retold for a new audience.

By: Josephine Wilkinson
Imprint: Amberley Publishing
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 234mm, Width: 156mm,
Weight: 538g
ISBN: 9781445693927
ISBN 10: 1445693925
Pages: 288
Publication Date: 15 August 2021
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Unspecified

Dr Josephine Wilkinson is an author and historian. She received a First from the University of Newcastle where she also read for her PhD. She has received British Academy research funding and has been scholar-in-residence at St Deiniol's Library, Britain's only residential library founded by the great Victorian statesman, William Gladstone. She now lives in York. She is the author of Louis XIV, The Princes in the Tower, Anne Boleyn, Mary Boleyn, and Richard III (all published by Amberley), and Katherine Howard (John Murray).