1640 Gallery

Man in the Iron Mask, playing the cello in prison

There are conflicting theories as to who this man was. One is that he was Count Ercole Antonio Mattioli (Matthioli or Marchioly, 1640-1703), an Italian diplomat, arrested as Eustache Dauger in 1669, imprisoned by Louis XIV for 34 years, who died in the Bastille. Another theory, according to Voltaire, is that he was the older, illegitimate brother of Louis XIV -- this later formed part of Alexandre Dumas Three Musketeers saga, in which the man is Louis twin brother

© Mary Evans Picture Library

Costume styles, 17th century

Costume styles, 17th century, from left to right: Dutch couple circa 1610, French couple circa 1640, King Louis XIV and his wife (Maria Theresa of Spain) circa 1670, English dandy and elegant woman circa 1690, German alderman from Nuremberg circa 1700. Date: 17th century

© Mary Evans Picture Library

1610, 1640, 1670, 1690, Alderman, Costume, Councillor, Couple, Dandy, Dutch, Elegant, English, French, German, Holland, King, Louis, Man, Maria, Men, Netherlands, Queen, Royal, Royalty, Spain, Styles, Theresa, Wife, Woman, Women, Xiv

First Duke Devonshire

WILLIAM CAVENDISH, first Duke of DEVONSHIRE influential statesman, serving Charles II and the protestant cause, supporting William III. He also wrote good verses. Date: 1640 - 1707

© Mary Evans Picture Library

1640, 1707, Cavendish, Charles, Devonshire, Duke, Good, Historical, History, Ii, Iii, Influential, Protestant, Serving, Statesman, Supporting, Verses, William, Wrote