The True History of the State Prisoner, Commonly Called the Iron Maskextracted from Documents in the French Archives

A historical account written in the early 19th century. The book investigates the long-standing mystery surrounding the identity of the historical figure known as the Iron Mask, exploring documents from the French archives that could potentially reveal his true identity. With a focus on a key character, Hercules Anthony Matthioli, the narrative delves into the intrigues of 17th-century political machinations, particularly those involving Louis XIV of France. The beginning of the work sets the stage for a thorough examination of the history of the Iron Mask, highlighting the public's fascination with this enigmatic figure for over a century. Ellis criticizes previous works, particularly one by M. Delort, for their confusing and overly flattering portrayals of Louis XIV while misrepresenting the significance of Matthioli's case. He presents an outline of the historical context surrounding Matthioli's life, detailing his ties to the Dukedom of Mantua and the political complexities that led to his imprisonment. The initial chapters promise a scrupulous analysis of the documents that purportedly confirm Matthioli as the true identity of the Iron Mask, thereby providing a compelling narrative steeped in historical intrigue and the quest for truth.