The Man in the Iron Mask (French: L'Homme au Masque de Fer) (died 19 November 1703) was a prisoner who was held in a number of jails, including the Bastille and the Fortress of Pinerolo, during the reign of Louis XIV of France. The identity of this man has been thoroughly discussed and been the subject of many books, such as this one, mainly because no one ever saw his face, which was hidden by a mask of black velvet cloth.