Man in the Iron Mask – Unidentified Prisoner of Louis XIV
From 1669, a man named Eustache Dauger was arrested and transferred through four prisons—Pignerol, Exilles, Île Sainte‑Marguerite and finally the Bastille—under the tight supervision of Bénigne Dauvergne de Saint‑Mars. He died in the Bastille on 19 November 1703, his true identity remaining unknown.
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We remember the unnamed prisoner, whose long, secret confinement ended in 1703, with solemn respect.
Timeline
- 19 July 1669 — Minister Louvois orders the arrest of a prisoner named "Eustache Dauger".
- 28 July 1669 — Dauger is apprehended near Calais by Captain Alexandre de Vauroy.
- 24 August 1669 — Dauger arrives at the prison of Pignerol.
- 30 April 1687 — Dauger is transferred to Île Sainte‑Marguerite and placed in a newly built cell.
- 1 May 1698 — Barbezieux informs Saint‑Mars of his appointment as governor of the Bastille; instructions on Dauger’s transfer are pending.
- 18 September 1698 — Saint‑Mars assumes command of the Bastille and moves Dauger to a solitary cell in the Bertaudière Tower.
- 19 November 1703 — Dauger dies in the Bastille; he is buried the next day under the name "Marchioly".
Frequently asked questions
What was the prisoner’s recorded name?
He was recorded as "Eustache Dauger" in the arrest warrant, but his true identity has never been proven.
Did he wear an iron mask?
Contemporary documents show he was only required to cover his face with a black velvet cloth after 1687; the iron mask story stems from Voltaire’s later misreport.
Was he related to Louis XIV?
Rumours claimed he was the king’s brother or twin, but no evidence supports this; the theories remain speculative.
Why was his imprisonment kept secret?
Orders from Louvois mandated extreme secrecy, limiting his communication and isolating him to prevent any disclosure of sensitive information he might have known.
Where was he buried?
He was buried on 20 November 1703 in the Saint‑Paul parish cemetery under the name "Marchioly", as recorded in the burial register.
How long was he imprisoned?
He spent 34 years in custody, from his arrest in 1669 until his death in 1703.
Who supervised his confinement?
Bénigne Dauvergne de Saint‑Mars oversaw his detention throughout the successive prisons.
Primary sources and references
The cases · Investigation glossary · On this day in history · The daily puzzle · Which detective are you? · Historical word search maker