Reply #28: The "switched twins" story fom "The Man In The Iron Mask" is

[Aristus]

pure fiction. But it is true that there WAS a 'Man in the iron mask' (it was actually black velvet stiffened with whalebone, he was confined in comfort and luxury, and his identity was never revealed.) AND Louis XIV DID have a younger brother who might have been a rival to the throne. He was no secret, though. His name was Phillipe, Duke of Orleans. To keep him from rivaling Louis, their mother raised Phillipe as a girl; dresses, makeup, dolls, the whole works. Nature won over nuture, however. Phillipe fought in Louis's various wars, was noted for his bravery (although he worried that the sun and dust would harm his smooth, creamy skin),and he fathered a number of children by his wife and numerous mistresses.

History is SO much more fun than fiction! B-)