Man in the Iron Mask one ever saw his face because it was hidden by a mask of black velvet cloth, the true identity of the prisoner remains a mystery; it has been extensively debated by historians, and various theories have been expounded in numerous books and films. Among the leading theories are those proposed by writer and philosopher Voltaire: he claimed in the second edition of his "Questions sur l'Encyclopédie" (1771) that the prisoner wore a mask made of iron rather than of cloth, and that he was the older, illegitimate brother of Louis XIV. What little is known about the historical Man in
The Vicomte of Bragelonne: Ten Years Later The Vicomte of Bragelonne: Ten Years Later The Vicomte of Bragelonne: Ten Years Later ( ) is a novel by Alexandre Dumas. It is the third and last of "The d'Artagnan Romances", following "The Three Musketeers" and "Twenty Years After". It appeared first in serial form between 1847 and 1850. In the English translations, the 268 chapters of this large volume are usually subdivided into three, but sometimes four or even five individual books. In three-volume English editions the volumes are entitled "The Vicomte de Bragelonne", "Louise de la Vallière", and "The Man in the Iron Mask". Each volume is