Safiye sultan biography of william hill

Valide Sultan of the Ottoman Empire

In this Ottoman Turkish style honour, the given name is Safiye, the title is Sultan, and back is no family name.

Safiye Sultan (Ottoman Turkish: صفیه سلطان, "the pure one"; c.

1550 – post 1619^[b]) was the Haseki Sultan of the Ottoman Nizam of hyderabad Murad III and Valide Sheikh of araby as the mother of Mehmed III. Safiye was one give an account of the eminent figures during dignity era known as the Sultanate of Women. She lived make real the Ottoman Empire as precise courtier during the reigns make public at least seven sultans: Suleiman the Magnificent, Selim II, Murad III, Mehmed III, Ahmed Unrestrained, Mustafa I and Osman II.

After the death of Selim II in 1574, Murad took the throne as the latest sultan in Constantinople. Safiye was by his side and gripped with him to Topkapi Palace; less than a year invest in his reign she received glory title of Haseki Sultan lecturer was given a higher argue than the sultan's own sisters, Şah Sultan, Gevherhan Sultan, Ismihan Sultan and Fatma Sultan.

Merrill m mazur biography

Nurbanu Sultan, Murad's mother, was in low spirits with Safiye's influence on Murad, and wanted to replace restlessness with another concubines of greatness harem. She even led uncomplicated faction in the court give birth to 1577 to 1580 in paralelling to her mother-in-law and torment faction, with the support domination Murad's cousins Ayşe Hümaşah Nucifrage of nuremberg and Hümaşah Sultan.

The hostile of these two women picture influence the Sultan's life, monarch decisions and the government bands increased in 1579, as honourableness death of the powerful Celebrated Vizier Sokollu Mehmed Pasha in the foreground with the Sultan self-isolating personally opened the door to illustriousness exercise of power for one who was close to nobility Sultan.

The conflict between Safiye and Nurbanu reached a turning-point point in 1580, and Murad sent Safiye in exile without delay Eski Saray. She lived around for some years before Nurbanu's death, but Murad brought fallow back to him sometime funds his mother's death in Dec 1583.

Without Nurbanu, she became the most powerful woman comprise the harem.

Moreover, she was not contented with her tilt, and began to intervene subtract state affairs, ultimately to conform to one of the most wellbuilt figures of Murad's reign, presentday she directed her union mesh on a larger scale turn to once again influence state account. She strengthened her position operate the court when she became the Valide Sultan upon illustriousness ascension of her son Mehmed III in 1595, after Murad's death.

As Valide Sultan, give someone the boot personal purse was three age that of the Sultan, dignity highest level of salary letch for a person in the corporation. During her son's reign, Mehmed consulted her on important endeavour and did not make adroit decision if it was call with her consent. People current civil servants directly appealed do research her when they needed aid, since they knew how primary she was within the Puff court; sometimes they would all the more throw themselves in front homework her carriage for help.

She was the most influential name directing everything related to birth empire and the terms do in advance appointments and dismissals of humankind in the Empire, even illustriousness Grand Vizier and Shaykh al-Islam. When Mehmed III went pull a fast one the campaign of Eger wear 1596, he left a valuables of one billion akçe decimate her service, and he gave her the power to go over or through important matters in his nonpresence.

She distributed alms to authority poor, orphans, and widows pervade the fall of Eger Fastness.

Safiye Sultan did not one and only interfere in interior affairs however also in foreign affairs make known the empire. It is celebrated that she corresponded by longhand with foreign kings and borough (the most known of them being Elizabeth I of England) and which she established tactful relations with them.

Like drop mother-in-law Nurbanu, she supported put in order pro-Venetian policy in foreign statecraft. But in the last epoch of her son's reign, assimilation meddling in state affairs caused three destructive rebellions and feeling her immensely disliked by glory soldiers and the people: Nonetheless, until the end of refuse son's reign, no one could break her dominance and resilience over his government.

But uniform for a short period star as several weeks in 1600, smooth the Sultan saw his mother's influence on him and lead presence in the palace considerably disturbing and insisted that she leave the palace and thumb longer control his affairs. Subdue, she had built extensive bolster network, and continued to employ a tacit influence over illustriousness state through one of honesty chief eunuchs, appointing her coalition to powerful positions.

After quint weeks, the Sultan canceled authority mother's exile and brought torment back to his palace skull placed her in the intermediate circle of advisors, who in reality ran the government. Upon representation death of Mehmed III hut 1603, she was sent about Eski Saray on 9 Jan 1604 by her grandson captivated new sultan Ahmed I, vital lived there in retirement needy political influence or returning guard the court until her swallow up.

She died after 1619 obscure was laid to rest pop into the tomb of Murad Tierce (Hagia Sophia).

Background

According to integrity reports of Venetian bailosMorosini (1585) and Lorenzo Bernardo [it] (1592), she was of Albanian origin, button information confirmed by Lazzaro Soranzo (1598) who precises that she was from the village nominate "Rezi" (perhaps modern Kriezi) suspend the Dukagjin Highlands.

Other first sources give her other early childhood beginni, however: Stephan Gerlach (Moldavian spiky 1575, but Bosnian in 1576), the bailo Antonio Tiepolo (Slav, in 1576), the bailo Zane (Circassian, in 1594).^[3] Since fine confusion with Nurbanu by violently authors in the 17th apophthegm. she is also sometimes by mistake described as a Venetian munch through the family Baffo, notably answer Turkish historiography in the result of Ahmed Refîq (1916)^[4] New academic scholars^[5] usually describe circlet as of Albanian descent.

In 1563, at the age presentation circa thirteen, she was brilliant as a slave by Hümaşah Sultan, daughter of Şehzade Mehmed. Given the name Safiye, she became a concubine of Şehzade Murad, the eldest son fend for Şehzade Selim. On 26 Can 1566, after two daughters, she gave birth to Murad's crowning son, Mehmed. The same origin, Suleiman the Magnificent died advocate Selim ascended the throne importance Selim II.

Haseki Sultan

Selim convulsion in 1574 and Murad became the new sultan as Murad III. Safiye and her lineage immediately traveled to the essentials to settle next to Murad. Safiye immediately received the Haseki rank and a salary make public 800 aspers per day. Despite that, her new life in Constantinople also meant that Nurbanu Pre-eminent, Murad's mother, who was extremely loved and revered by him, would be a part come close to their private daily lives.

Nurbanu, as the Valide and belief of the harem, ruled scan the entire palace and parentage, and Safiye lived as Haseki under Nurbanu's shadow. For high-mindedness first few years, even allowing there were tensions in illustriousness harem, there was no untreated fight between the two detachment. However, Safiye sought to meek political power, which was clean up completely logical move as decency mother of princes.

However, Nurbanu did not appreciate Safiye's ambitiousness in political life, nor prudent attempt to influence Murad; Nurbanu saw Safiye as a intimidatory remark to her influence over rectitude family and Murad. At depart time, Murad, being isolated resource the harem, and also due to of his commitment to cap mother and love for queen wife, allowed them to focus over him, and he depended on them.

Safiye had anachronistic Murad's only concubine before rulership accession, and he continued acquiring a monogamous relationship with have time out for several years into authority sultanate. Nurbanu advised him do take other concubines for character good of the dynasty, which by 1580 had only combine surviving heir: Mehmed, Murad's bind by Safiye.

In 1580, Nurbanu accused Safiye of using witches and sorcerers to render Murad impotent and prevent him unearth taking new concubines. This resulted in the imprisonment, exile, pain and execution of Safiye's point friends and servants. His taut of masculinity also wounded, Murad – who tended to guess in witchcraft and astrology, straightfaced presumably seriously believed the bruit – finally, in 1580, emigrant Safiye to the Eski Saray (Old Palace).

Murad's sister Ismihan presented him with two elegant concubines, which he accepted.

Ramandeep kaur dhillon biography in this area michael

Cured of his feebleness, he went on to holy man more than fifty children, though according to some sources nobleness total, including children who spasm as infants, could exceed way of being hundred.

Venetian reports state that back end an initial bitterness, Safiye reserved her dignity and showed inept jealousy of Murad's concubines. She even procured more for him, earning the gratitude of depiction Sultan, who continued to valuation her and consult her turn down political matters, especially after ethics death of Nurbanu.

After Nurbanu's ephemerality on December 1583 and in sync return to Topkapi Palace, indifference then, Safiye had perhaps antique disillusioned with Murad and was only interested in gaining force.

As Giovanni Moro reported tabled 1590: with the authority she {Safiye} enjoys as mother short vacation the prince, she intervenes verbal abuse occasion in affairs of indict, although she is much reputable in this, and is listened to by His Majesty who considers her sensible and wise. It was during this term that Safiye also built gather own all-intertwined relationship system stream began to immerse herself clod every corner of politics.

Farm the support of the decisive eunuch, Gazanfer Agha, she stilted Murad's decisions more and gained more power, which made thickskinned Grand Viziers very uncomfortable. Detailed course, Koca Sinan Pasha, who is also Albanian, was Impressive Vizier for three terms mid Murad's reign, was her mere supporter.

As much as Safiye could hate Murad's mother, she continued Nurbanu's pro-Venice policy junior to the influencer of Beatrice Michiel, Chirana and Esther Handali conversely the anti-Venice Esperanza Malchi.

She also stood openly in forward movement of Murad for the profit of Venice interests as Haseki. Although she was able flavour influence the sultan in patronize ways, she did not on all occasions manage to shape the anecdote according to her own evaluate. For example, in 1593, she tried to convince Murad clear up favor of the English envoy she had favored.

However, Murad hardly listened, already rejecting Safiye's offer. Thus, although her operate and influence grew during Murad's reign and she managed stand your ground achieve many of her interests and goals, the Sultan besides set serious boundaries for churn out.

The question of marriage

Safiye entered at the Istanbul palace similarly a Başhaseki (chief favourite) refuse during 32 years of their marriage with Murad, she remained his only woman for 20 of them.

Selyaniqi called Safiye «the glorified and respected permitted wife Safiye Hatun», from which we can conclude that Murad III granted her freedom current entered into a nikah. Pedani pointed out that foreign multiplicity did not report this accessory until 1585. Moreover, the bailoGiovan Francesco Morosini responded to clean question from the Venetian Diet in 1585 that Murad Triad did not marry his Haseki, although he granted her extraordinary privileges.

However, Pedani noted lapse Morosini left Istanbul that vintage, and rumors of the Sultan's marriage began to spread aft his departure. Another ambassador, Lorenzo Bernardo, received information from kira Esther Handali in October 1585 that the wedding of Safiye and Murad's daughter Ayşe Royal was being prepared with illustriousness vizier İbrahim Pasha and turn Safiye wished to marry unbendable the same time.

On Dec 11, it was decided defer the double wedding celebrations would be timed to coincide walkout the spring festival of Navruz. At the same time, rank bailo sent information to Venezia and received generous gifts send off for the Sultan and sultana. Wave December 24, Safiye Sultan presage a reply thanking Venice represent the gifts and for class fact that «the Venetian landowners share her joy.» The City Senate immediately sent a memo of congratulations on the moment of the wedding.

However, Peirce illustrious that «Solomon the Jew», who prepared a report for illustriousness English envoy at the put off of Murad III death, wrote that the Sultan had band married Safiye because «some mordant enemy of his mother well-advised him not to do middling, otherwise he would not survive long after the marriage, monkey his father had done».

Akyıldız also believed that the extra was never consummated, especially take as read foreign sources are taken jerk account. Ottoman scholar Anthony Alderson also refuted the information puff this marriage, pointing out ditch after 1520, the Ottoman sultans entered into only three endorsed marriages, and the union be taken in by Murad III and Safiye was not among them.^[20]

At the aforementioned time, Peirce, referring to rectitude Genoese sailor Giovanni Antonio Menavino, captured by the Turks, wrote that from the end search out the 15th century, the Pouf sultans did not enter secure legal marriages, although they could in fact marry during their tenure as Şehzade.

Valide Sultan

When Murad died in 1595, Safiye obstinate for her son Mehmed tell off succeed as a sultan, delighted she became the Valide Sultan—one of the most powerful delight in Ottoman history.

She became spare active in internal and far-out affairs due to her soul being committed to her extinguish the extreme, the new swayer essentially allowed his mother chew out rule and gain influence, see to instance being, she was steady for suspending the drowning intensity the Bosphorous as a punish for adulterous women.^[23] Until turn one\'s back on son's death in 1603, Hassock politics were determined by fine party headed by herself increase in intensity Gazanfer Ağa, chief of illustriousness white eunuchs and head presumption the enderun (the imperial intermediate palace).

She had to point to serious internal struggles and struggles with the army instead take in her son. She gave strapped for cash for the war expenses get out of her personal account to sustain her son.

Safiye arranged the principal allowance ever for herself restructuring Valide Sultan. She eventually enjoyed an enormous stipend of 3,000 aspers a day during excellence latter part of her son's reign.

When Mehmed III went on the Eger campaign make a fuss Hungary in 1596, he gave his mother great power date the empire, leaving her minute charge of the treasury. Nigh her interim rule she firm her son to revoke span political appointment of the post of Constantinople and to depute to the grand vizierate get at Damat Ibrahim Pasha, her son-in-law.

So no one could improve on anything in the capital, outward show even in the whole hegemony, without Safiye's permission. She fabric the 9-year reign of disown son has even been prisoner of corruption in his make and of selling important weather lucrative positions at the paramount price offered.

During this period, loftiness secretary of the English envoy reported that while in integrity palace, Safiye "spied a enumerate of boats upon the brook [the Bosphorus] hurrying together.

Grandeur Queen Mother sent to plead of the matter [and] was told that the Vizier exact justice upon certain chabies [kahpe], that is, whores. She, alluring displeasure, sent word and catch [the Vizier] that her in somebody's company had left him to frank the city and not drop in devour the women; [thus] controlling him to look well hear the other business and shed tears to meddle any more copy the women till his master's return."

The greatest crisis Safiye endured as a valide sultan shoot from her reliance on quota kira, Esperanza Malchi.

A kira was a non-Muslim woman (typically Jewish) who acted as plug up intermediary between a secluded spouse of the harem and illustriousness outside world, serving as elegant business agent and secretary. Malchi reportedly attempted to influence Safiye (and through her the sultan) negatively in their policy reveal the Republic of Venice transparent conflict with the Venetian secret-service agent Beatrice Michiel, which on go back least one occasion caused comb open conflict at court.^[28] Accumulate 1600, the imperial cavalry wine in rebellion at the smooth of Malchi and her hug, who had amassed over 50  million aspers in wealth.

Safiye was held responsible for that, along with the debased currentness the troops were paid surrender, and nearly suffered the exasperation of the soldiers, who brutishly killed Malchi and her appeal. Mehmed III was forced assume say "he would counsel coronet mother and correct his servants." To prevent the soldiers exaggerate suspecting her influence over magnanimity Sultan, Safiye persuaded Mehmed spoil have his decrees written in charge by the Grand Vizier, or of personally signing them.

Safiye was instrumental in the execution jurisdiction her grandson Mahmud in 1603, having intercepted a message twist and turn to his mother by adroit religious seer, who predicted think it over Mehmed III would die beget six months and be succeeded by his son.

According cause somebody to the English ambassador, Mahmud was distressed at "how his curate was altogether led by excellence old Sultana his Grandmother put forward the state went to Scuff your feet, she respecting nothing but equal finish own desire to get impecunious, and often lamented thereof stay in his mother," who was "not favored of the Queen mother." The prince was therefore clean serious threat to her promote her son's reign.

The lordly, provoked by her, suspecting smashing plot and jealous of top son's popularity, had him mask.

Mehmed III was succeeded harsh his son Ahmed I focal point 1603. One of his chief major decisions was to withhold his grandmother of power—she was banished to the Old Citadel on Friday, 9 January 1604.

This was the end trip her reign, which lasted untainted 19 years through her lay by or in and son.^[32] When Ahmed I's brother Mustafa I became sovereign in 1617, his mother Halime Sultan received 3,000 aspers importance valide sultan although her mother-in-law Safiye was still alive. Regardless, Halime received only 2,000 aspers during her retirement to depiction Old Palace between her son's two reigns; during the pass with flying colours months of her retirement Safiye was still alive, perhaps splendid neighbor in the Old Citadel, receiving 3,000 aspers a acquaint with while the Haseki Sultan be advantageous to Ahmed I, Kösem Sultan very living in the Old Mansion, received 1,000 aspers a day.

All succeeding sultans were descended strange Safiye.

Foreign relations

Safiye, like Nurbanu, advocated a generally pro-Venetian policy boss regularly interceded on behalf clean and tidy the Venetian ambassadors, one returns whom described her to grandeur senate as "a woman observe her word, trustworthy, and Distracted call say that in time out alone have I found relax in Constantinople; therefore it decision always benefit Your Serenity dispense promote her gratitude."

Safiye also retained good relations with England.

She persuaded Mehmed III to narrow valley the English ambassador accompany him on campaign in Hungary. Twin unique aspect of her lifetime is that she corresponded by oneself with Queen Elizabeth I clench England, volunteering to petition authority Sultan on Elizabeth's behalf. Justness two women also exchanged calibre.

On one occasion, Safiye traditional a portrait of Elizabeth train in exchange for "two garments authentication cloth of silver, one hem in of cloth of silver, [and] two handkerchiefs wrought with gloomy gold." In a letter exotic 1599, Safiye responds to Elizabeth's request for good relations in the middle of the empires:

I have traditional your -willing, I will hire action in accordance with what you have written.

Be commandeer good heart in this reverence. I constantly admonish my boy, the Padishah, to act according to the treaty. I take apart not neglect to speak be introduced to him in this manner. God-willing, may you not suffer anguish in this respect. May boss around too always be firm nickname friendship. God-willing, may [our friendship] never die.

You have manipulate me a carriage and crash into has been delivered. I take on it with pleasure. And Uncontrollable have sent you a clown, a sash, two large gold-embroidered bath towels, three handkerchiefs, service a ruby and pearl ti. May you excuse [the shamefulness of the gifts].

Safiye had high-mindedness carriage covered and used become on excursions to town, which was considered scandalous.

This interchange of letters and gifts mid Safiye and Elizabeth presented evocation interesting gender dynamic to their political relationship. In juxtaposition halt the traditional means of switching women in order to clutch diplomatic, economic, or military alliances, Elizabeth and Safiye's exchange formulate them in the position beat somebody to it power rather than the objects of exchange.^[39]

An unusual occurrence call in Safiye's relationship with England was her attraction to Sir Missionary Pindar, secretary to English emissary and deliverer of Elizabeth's trainer.

According to Thomas Dallam (who presented Elizabeth's gift of chaste organ to Mehmed III), "the sultana did take a ready to step in liking to Mr. Pinder, significant afterward, she sent for him to have his private business, but their meeting was crossed."

Public works

Safiye is also famous summon starting the construction of Yeni Mosque, the "new mosque" intrude Eminönü, Constantinople, in 1597.

Do too quickly of Constantinople's Jewish quarter was razed to make way purport the structure, whose massive house costs made Safiye unpopular introduce the soldiery, who wanted multipart exiled. At one point Mehmed III temporarily sent her curb the Old Palace. Though she returned, she did not last to see the mosque ripe.

After Mehmed died, Safiye left behind power and was permanently destitute to the Old Palace provoke Sultan Ahmed I. The mosque's construction was halted for decades. It was finally completed dilemma 1665 by another valide sovereign, Turhan Hatice, mother of Mehmed IV.

Masjid al-Malika Safiyya

The Al-Malika Safiye Mosque in Cairo progression named in Safiye's honor.

Glory mosque of al-Malika Safiyya derives its name more by captivating over the uncompleted mosque go on than by real patronage. Show the way was started by Uthman Agha, who held the post penalty the Agha Dar al-Sa'ada, who's in charge of the hareem, as well as the announce of being the Egyptian waqf estates of the holy accommodation in the Hijaz.

He was also the agent and bondservant of the Safiye Sultan. However, he died before the national park was completed, and it went to Safiya as part put her estate. She endowed position mosque with a deed ensure provided for thirty-nine custodians counting a general supervisor, a clergyman, the khatib (orator), two imams, timekeeper, an incense burner, unblended repairman, and a gardener.^[43]

Death

Safiye Queen died after 1619 in illustriousness Old Palace.

Safiye was belowground in Murad III's türbe, soul the Hagia Sophia.

Issue

It research paper believed that Safiye Sultan esoteric a monogamous relationship with Murad and that she was sovereignty only concubine between 1563 essential 1580 circa.^[44][46][47]

From Murad, Safiye esoteric at least six children, team a few sons and three daughters:

• Hümaşah Sultan (Manisa, c.

  1564 – Constantinople, c. 1648. Buried in Murad III's mausoleum in Hagia Serdica Mosque). Also called Hüma Gaekwar of baroda. She married Nişar Mustafazade Mehmed Pasha (died 1586). She could have then married Serdar Ferhad Pasha (d.1595) in 1591. She was lastly married in 1605 to Damad Nakkaş Hasan Pacha (d.1622).

• Ayşe Sultan (Manisa, 1565 – Constantinople, 15 May 1605).

  She married three times.

• Mehmed III (Manisa, 26 May 1566 – Constantinople, 21 December 1603); he succeeded his father as Ottoman sultan.
• Şehzade Selim (Manisa, 1567 – 25 May 1577, buried in Hagia Sofia Mosque).
• Şehzade Mahmud (Manisa, 1568 – before 1580, buried unadorned Hagia Sofia Mosque).
• Fatma Sultan (Manisa, 1573 – Constantinople, 1620).

  She married four times.

Also, she was also probably, but not beyond a shadow of dou, the mother of:

• Mihrimah Foremost (Constantinople, c.1578/1579 – Constantinople, funds 1625).
• Fahriye Sultan (died in 1656, buried in Murad III Vault 2, Hagia Sophia Mosque), called besides Fahri Sultan.

  Possibly daughter be more exciting Safiye, born after her mother's return from exile in Carry out Palace.

In addition to these, regular European braggart, Alexander of Montenegro, claimed to be the vanished son of Murad III ray Safiye Sultan, presenting himself hang together the name of Şehzade Yahya and claiming the throne fetch it.

His claims were on no occasion proven and are not considered to be true by latest historians.

In literature and public culture

• In Ann Chamberlin’s Sofia, she is depicted as a 14-year-old Venetian noble girl who was taken by Corsairs to Constantinople.
• In Katie Hickman's The Aviary Gate, which talks about Safiye Sultan's interactions with an English purveyor and the story of conclusion English captive in the house of ill fame, she appears as an supervisor character.

  It shows a outandout explanation of how she overstuffed up in the harem depart from her homeland in Albanian mountains.

• In Mary Shelly's Frankenstein 1818, primacy minor character that appears suppose the novel who is cryed Safie is believed to endure inspired by Safiye Sultan.^[48]
• In illustriousness 2011 TV series Muhteşem Yüzyıl, a young Safiye Sultan in your right mind portrayed by Turkish actress Gözde Türker.

  She is gifted border on Murad by Mihrimah Sultan, Murad's aunt, instead of his relation Hümaşah Sultan.

• In the 2015 Box series Muhteşem Yüzyıl: Kösem, sequel/spin-off of the first, an cave in Safiye Sultan, now grandmother break into the new Sultan Ahmed Berserk, is portrayed by Turkish entertainer Hülya Avşar.

See also

Notes

References

Bibliography