fandomhigh | Mad Kings & Queens: Raving Royals and How To Survive Them [Tuesday, 2nd Period]

"Many royal families can be brutal when it comes to lines of succession," Ghanima said cheerfully, bouncing a giggling Trebor on her hip. "Sometimes, a royal will try to protect their beloved sibling. But the best of intentions means nothing against the State, and it does not always go well."

"When Mustafa I -- called both 'Mustafa the Saint' and 'Mustafa the Mad,' was born, a tradition had long been in place in Turkey that newly crowned Sultans would execute any contenders to the throne. Namely, their brothers. This practice was called kardeş katliamı, literally 'fraternal massacring.'"

She booped Trebor on the nose. "Do not get any ideas about your future siblings, dearest. I am raising you better than that."

"Now, when Mustafa's half-brother, Ahmed, came to the throne, he decided to spare his little brother's life -- allegedly at the urging of Ahmed's own mother, the Haseki Sultan Kosem -- and instead he was confined to a set of rooms in virtual imprisonment, a system called 'kafes,' for fourteen years. Think of it as being locked in a two-bedroom apartment for your entire life, never to set foot outside your door, and to have your contact with the outside world limited."

"You must keep in mind that the early history of the Ottoman Empire is littered with succession wars between rival sons of the deceased sultan. Therefore, it was almost considered the law that once the new sultan ascended to the throne, he had his brothers killed, sometimes dozens of them at once, including infants," Ghanima continued briskly, as her son played with her braids. "Although this practice effectively reduced the number of claimants to the throne, there were several occasions where the Ottoman line seemed destined to end. The introduction of confinement of heirs provided security for an incumbent sultan and continuity of the dynasty. It wreaked havoc on their education and mental health, as they were removed from the harem and their mothers upon puberty, but it was seen as a measure to guarantee succession."

"When Ahmet I died in 1617 his eldest son, Osman, was only thirteen years old and for the first time in fourteen generations the succession was altered by the Imperial Council so that the late sultan's brother acceded to the throne as Mustafa I, again, partially due to the lobbying of Kosem Sultan, in an effort to protect the rest of her sons, as Osman was the son of a concubine, and she feared for the safety of her children."

"When Mustafa was first freed, his mental health was hotly debated at court. Some said he was divinely inspired and a religious visionary. Others saw his ranting as psychotic rather than celestial. His policies and orders did little to gain any confidence: any kind page or generous farmer could find themselves in an exalted position of considerable power at the royal court. It was hoped that regular social contact would improve Mustafa's mental health, but his behavior remained eccentric. He reportedly pulled off the turbans of his viziers and yanked their beards, which, in their culture, was <i>highly</i> disrespectful. This annoyed enough courtiers to tip the balance of public opinion against him, and after less-than a year, Mustafa was returned to his cage."

"For the next four years, Mustafa remained locked away with two female slaves to care for him. Outside, Osman II, his late brother's son, was ruling. He issued edicts against everything from tobacco to alcohol, and practiced with bow and arrow on living targets around the court. Ultimately, he made himself very unpopular, and was tortured to death in 1622."

"During this period, Mustafa was rather content in his cage. When he was released in 1623, he refused to leave at first, and had to be dragged out at the end of a rope. Despite his objections, questionable mental health, and obvious inadequacies, Mustafa was a reluctant sultan once more, through the efforts of his mother, Halime Sultan."

"Again entrusted with governing Turkey, terrified of the responsibility, and unprepared, he set out to wreak havoc. He slaughtered all those who had been responsible for removing him from his cage, including his nephew. Farm laborers, donkey drivers, and other unlikely subjects found themselves promoted. Taxes went unpaid, armed forces went un-salaried, and nationwide anarchy loomed. Meanwhile, Mustafa ran in search of Osman, convinced he was alive and begging him to return and take over the throne. When he ordered the execution of all Osman's brothers, he was persuaded by his court to renounce the throne, and turn over the monarchy to another one of his nephews, with Kosem Sultan as regent."

"Mustafa returned to his cage one last time, late in 1623. He died there sixteen years later."

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Pamela Isley

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"Why do you think they continued to try and force Mustafa to take the throne?" Ghanima asked quietly. "This was a man ill-prepared for the burdens of leadership, who was at best neurotic and at worst insane, and did not want to be sultan. Was the cage the best way of dealing with him, or would you have found another path?"

"Keep in mind that 'Divine Right' was playing a role here... the idea that the sultan was chosen by God, and had God not wanted Mustafa on the throne, he would have died at Ahmed's hand. Admitting that Mustafa was unfit, despite being the heir, could almost be seen as sacrilegious, and the Empire was not kind to heretics."

"You may have noticed I name-dropped more women than you would have suspected," Ghanima said. "This took place during a period called 'The Sultanate of Women,' when some consorts, mothers, sisters and grandmother of the sultans of the Ottoman Empire exerted extraordinary political influence."

"This phenomenon took place from roughly 1534 to 1683, beginning in the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent with his marriage to Hürrem Sultan and ending with the death of Turhan Sultan. These women were either the consorts – either wives or concubines – of the Sultan, referred to as haseki sultans, or the mothers of the Sultan, known as valide sultans. Many of them were of slave origin, as was expected during the sultanate, since the traditional idea of marriage was considered inappropriate for the sultan, who was not expected to have any personal allegiances beyond his governmental role. The marriage between Suleiman and Hürrem was originally very shocking!"

"During this time, haseki and valide sultans often held political and social influence, which allowed them to influence the daily running of the empire. While this concept was novel for the Ottoman Empire it was not without precedent since the Seljuk rulers, the predecessors to the Ottomans, often let noble women play an active role in public policy and affairs, despite the resistance of other male officials."

"Hürrem also did her best to discourage fratricide between her sons, but it wasn't until Ahmed took the throne that it was outlawed. Is it surprising to you, that women played such a big part of the succession in this situation? Why?"

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Mad Kings & Queens: Raving Royals and How To Survive Them [Tuesday, 2nd Period]

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During the Lecture

Discussion: Mustafa

Discussion: The Sultanate of Women

Talk to Ghanima & Trebor

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