#Gülşah Hatun

[magnificentlyreused]

This brown and blue striped kaftan was first worn by as Hürrem Sultan in the sixteenth episode of the first season of Magnificent Century. It was worn again by Gülşah Hatun in the third episode of the third season. The kaftan is used again on an unnamed harem member in the thirtieth and Emine Hatun in the fourtieth episode of the same season. The kaftan was seen again on Şehzade Mehmed's wet nurse in the thirty-first episode of the fourth season.

The kaftan was slightly altered by moving the buttons to the right to create a new asymmetrical closure before it was worn again by Topal Pasha's mistress in the second episode of the second season of Magnificent Century: Kösem.

[mc-critical]

I know I'm retreading old ground here, but I'll always love Süleiman and Gülfem's little scene in E15, because it reveals everything about both Gülfem herself and her relationship with Süleiman now and going forward. Gülfem's role as a conscience in general and for Süleiman in particular emerges, since when his relationships with his women are put to the test, she is the person he turns to as the first woman he's possibly hurt, as the one embodying that distant past everyone seeks to forget but can't as it always resurfaces all over again (and it's sad and telling that she's remembered only in occasions like these). Gülfem as Süleiman's conscience builds off of Hafsa's, Ibrahim's, Mustafa's and Hatice's isolated moments where they've been consciences for Süleiman yet in this scene it completely distinguishes itself as more of a deeper conscience, privy to Süleiman's inner world in ways we don't know but they themselves do, wholly embracing this moment that's just between them both. But the more her view of what she experienced unveils to us, the more this privyness and understanding Gülfem has for her closest springs forth as the coping mechanism she's developed in order to deal with her circumstances - she loves these people so much, so they're by no means at fault, she is, something has to be missing with her in order for that devasting end to have come forth (her loss has sadly done a number on her self-worth too: how could someone as ""average"" as her advice Hatice on what to write to Ibrahim??; how could someone as ""average"" as her not be at fault??). She clearly isn't over it (shown by her resentment that occasionally crops up especially in her dynamic with Mahidevran, but also a bit in her dynamic with Hürrem: some of the looks during Mehmet's naming ceremony, in E17 when it became known that SS had gone out of the castle with Hürrem etc.), but she has to accept it, to go with the flow, to cling to fate and the might of Allah as well (her urging Hatice for them to pray to Allah for Ibrahim in E14, also "When we lost our children* at a very young age, I accepted it as the will of Allah."; it's fascinating how close this brings her to both Hatice and Mahidevran: all three of them lean on fate like that, but Gülfem has experienced something so irreperably final and severe that every sign of something good happening, she'll openly and gladly take it, so is able to see the silver linings in Hatice's experiences that Hati herself can not; both Mahidevran and Gülfem lean on Allah, but unlike Mahi who expects and strives for justice for her suffering that's supposedly outside of Allah, Gülfi lets it go and associates the suffering itself too with Allah, if not with herself), focusing on what she already has, taking it with full hands.

And since that entails the people she supports, the last idea of family remaining to her as SS is so unreachable, and she can't bear to lose them too, the only thing left for her is to love them and idealize them but in different ways and amounts due to her different relationships with them, thus creating a sort of a hierarchy of fondness and idealization: going from Mahidevran (who I guess Gülfem is in good terms with not just due to her good relations with Hatice, but also because she's gotten too used to her as part of the family as well; as an ally, a main part of Gülfem processing everything, so when another person like Hürrem appears who's likely to challenge that status quo, that calm Gülfi has absorbed, she stands behind Mahi, shown in E08; btw, Hürrem too may have also become quite a part of that fondness and idealization line later on, but more about that when I get to S04), to Hafsa (the mother figure for whose will Gülfem's respect is usually absolute), to Hatice (the companion she's closest to, so she's able to give her a lot more empathy and understanding), to finally Süleiman, the last pillar of that hierarchy precisely because he's so unreachable and so dear she couldn't express it until this E15 scene and even then not fully. Even if, along with her understanding of them, she can and has called out others when she feels they're unjust namely due to her fondness of them, Süleiman is completely idealized in her mind, put on that pedestal of everything Gülfem yearns for in her life, of the peace he currently emanates but hasn't gotten from any of his women in return according to Gülfem (and it's interesting that Hürrem comes up promising a calmness to SS after she returns from her exile the same episode). But he won't emanate it much longer and the more her loved ones become disillusioned with him and are then stripped away from Gülfem by him, she starts to notice it in ways she can't deny.

So it's perfect that this scene, the first one that directly verbalizes how much loyalty means to SS especially in terms of his women and presents Gülfem as the first such loyal figure, sets her up as the last and perhaps most striking opposer of that idea. Her final act of defiance only appears sudden; it was always meant to happen like this.

[womenoftheottomanempire]

Disputed noble background:

[gulnarsultan]

I received a request for Mehmet. But I think tumblr deleted the request. I hope you will like it.

" Scenario "

You were in Mehmet's arms. Honestly, being in this man's arms gave you both confidence and fear. You were the only Princess of the last Byzantine Empire. After Constantinople was captured by Mehmet, you were going to escape the city with your family. However, you were caught and dragged in front of Mehmet. Mehmet married you that day and made you his wife. A few months have passed since your wedding. Thanks to Mehmet, no one was teasing you or trying to harm you. The first day you arrived, Gülşah Hatun, Mehmet's first wife and the mother of his first son, treated you badly. However, she apologized to you not even a few hours later. This situation surprised you. What you didn't know was that Mehmet had ordered the servants to watch over you. Mehmet was like a proud and late lion. He only let his guard down around you.

[minetteskvareninova]

We didn't have a certified Minette's stupid Magnificent Century poll for a long time, so here we go.

To qualify as a MILF, one has to be a) female b) older, middle-aged at least (not necessarily a mother) c) considered sexy in-universe by at least one character (that is NOT a random rapist, sorry Gülşah, or their husband of 20 years, again sorry Hürrem)

The real contention is over the last point, a.k.a. which one is THE sexiest older woman in the show.

[magnificentposting-fabrizioart]

VERY IMPORTANT MATTERS

Top of Topkapi (Tier 2)

This is up to Episode 12 of Season 1.

If you don't see someone here, is because the Top 3 were in the previous poll.

No, Hürrem is not here either because so far she just doesn't register for me due to the character (this is not about the actress at all, btw, as isn't the rest).

Yes these are the valid(e) options.

Feel free and encourage to discusse btw.

Respect the hatunlar tho, of course, or Daye will beat you to death.

[voievod]

THE DRĂCULEȘTI

— Vlad Drăculea. — ( oc: if i cannot move heaven i will raise hell )

— Vlad Dracul. — ( oc: the dragon )

— Vasilisa of Moldavia. — ( oc: petals edged with fire )

— Mircea Drăculea. — ( oc: of burning martyrdom )

— Alexandra of Wallachia. — ( oc: keeper of secrets )

— Radu Drăculea. — ( oc: cel frumos )

— Vlad Călugărul. Vlad Dracul’s youngest son, born out of a relationship with Călțuna. A pretender to the Wallachian throne.

— Mircea. Vlad Drăculea’s eldest son, born out of a relationship with Cătălina.

— Mihnea. Vlad Drăculea’s second son, born out of a relationship with Cătălina. The designated successor to the Wallachian throne.

— Vlad. Vlad Drăculea’s youngest son, born out of a marriage with Ilona Hunyadi.

— Maria Voichița. Radu Drăculea’s daughter, born out of a marriage with Maria Despina.

THE DĂNEȘTI

— Vladislav II.

— Dan the Pretender.

THE WALLACHIANS

— Cătălina Costescu. — ( oc: sanctuary )

— Dracea de Măneşti.

— Dumitu Costescu.

— Neagoe Craiovescu.

— Manea Udriște.

— Voico Dobrița.

— Cazan al lui Sahac.

— Stoica Paharnic.

— Oprea Logofăt.

— Albu cel Mare.

THE MOLDAVIANS

— Ștefan cel Mare. — ( oc: cel mare )

— Bogdan II. The Moldavian voivode. Father of Ștefan cel Mare.

— Oltea. Bogdan’s concubine and mother of Ștefan cel Mare.

— Maria. Oltea’s daughter from her previous marriage.

THE OTTOMANS

— Mehmed the Conqueror. — ( oc: golden child; lion boy )

— Murad II. The sultan of the Ottoman Empire. Mehmed the Conqueror’s father.

— Bayezid. Mehmed the Conqueror’s eldest son, born to Gülbahar Hatun.

— Mustafa. Mehmed the Conqueror’s second and favourite son, born to Gülşah Hatun.

— Cem. Mehmed the Conqueror’s youngest son, born to Çiçek Hatun.

— Molla Gürâni.

— Çandarlı Halil Pasha.

— Hamza Pasha.

— Thomas Katavolinos.

— Mahmud Pasha.

— Gedik Ahmed Pasha.

THE HUNGARIANS

— János Hunyadi.

— Erzsébet Szilágyi. János Hunyadi’s wife and the mother of László Hunyadi and Matthias Corvinus.

— Mihály Szilágyi.

— László Hunyadi.

— Ilona Hunyadi. János Hunyadi’s illegitimate daughter. Vlad Drăculea’s first wife and the mother of his youngest son, Vlad.

— Matthias Corvinus. János Hunyadi’s younger son. The king of Hungary.

— Ladislaus the Posthumous.

[redrosecut]

I meant Fatma Sultan because I always forget Fatma Hatun but actually you are much more right about her. With Fatma Sultan, I can at least somehow argue she hated Hürrem for the feuds with her sisters and mother (which were mostly provoked by them but well, family loyalty) but Fatma Hatun really came out of nowhere. Her and Gülşah were really in a league of their own.

Ohhhh my God you hate Hürrem? Should we tell everyone? Should we throw a party? Should we invite Mahidevran?

[reallifesultanas]

Family of Mehed II.

[awkward-sultana]

“Being a mother is an attitude, not a biological relation.” ― Robert A. Heinlein, Have Space Suit—Will Travel 

[magnificentlyreused]

This green gold dress was first worn by Gülşah Hatun in Magnificent Century. After her exit from the show, it was used again four in the third season. First on an unnamed harem member in the twenty-first episode, then on a guest of Hatice Sultan in the following episode as well as on Rakel Hatun and lastly on another unnamed harem member in the thirty-sixth episode.

[okyanustakimavioooo]

Evlatsız olunur ama vatansız olunmaz

[parallellines]

Mehmed II Conqueror + consorts (pictures are for aesthetic)

Emine Gülbahar Hatun — was a favourite consort of Sultan Mehmed II. In most sources she is referred as non-muslim slave who was converted to Islam after her arrival to the harem. There is no agreement on her origins some historians think she was Pontic Greek, Albanian or lowly Slavic. She was the mother of the future Sultan Bayezid II and Gevherhan Hatun. She died circa 1492 and was buried in her mausoleum inside the Fatih Mosque next to her late husband.

Çiçek Yagmur Hatun — was a wife or consort of Sultan Mehmed II. According to some sources she could have been Turkish noblewoman or Serbian, Greek, Venetian, French slave. She entered the harem or married Mehmed at Constantinople and gave birth to her only son Şehzade Cem (Ottoman claimant Sultan) on 22 December 1459. It is not known the degree of influence she had during Mehmed’s reign or if she even was favoured by him. She died on 3 May 1498 of plague and was buried in Cairo.

Hatice Hatun — was a thrid legal wife of Sultan Mehmed II. She was a possible daughter of Zaganos Mehmed Pasha. In 1463 she became Mehmed's third legal wife. After her husband death she remarried with a statesman.

Sitti Mükrime Hatun — was a Turkish Princess and first legal wife of Sultan Mehmed II. Her father was Süleyman Bey the sixth ruler of Dulkadir State. When Mehmed turned seventeen he married her for political purposes. Her possible offspring is unknown. Due to her middle name Sittişah is sometimes confused with Gülbahar Mükrime Hatun another consort of Mehmed. She died in September 1486 and was buried in a mausoleum built inside her mosque.

Helena Palaiologina — was a possible wife of Sultan Mehmed II. Her entering the Sultan's harem is controversial and remain unconfirmed. She was a daughter of the Despot of Morea Demetrios Paleologos the brother of Constantine XI Palaiologos the final Byzantine emperor and Theodora Asanina the daughter of Paul Asan. Some rumors says Mehmed II asked for her after his campaign in Morea having heard of her beauty. Probably he never bedded with her because he was afraid she would poison him. In another case Helena was provided with a pension and large estate at Adrianople by the Sultan though she was forbidden to marry. She died of unknown causes in 1469 or 1470 in Edirne.

Gülşah Hatun — was a second legal wife or consort of Sultan Mehmed II. There is no informations about her origins. She married Mehmed or entered his harem in 1449 when he was still a Prince and the governor of Manisa. Shortly before Murad’s II death she gave a birth to her only son Şehzade Mustafa and followed him to Konya when he became governor of the province. She died circa 1487 and was buried in Bursa in the tomb she had built for herself near that of Mustafa.

Maria Hatun — was a consort of Sultan Mehmed II. Before she entered Mehmed’s harem she was a widow of Alexander Komnenos Asen. According to some sources she was judicated as the most beautiful woman of her age. Some historians claims she could be more likely Murad’s II concubine than Mehmed’s.

Anna Hatun — was a consort of Sultan Mehmed II. Her parents were Trabzon Greek emperor David Komnenos and Helena Kantakuzenos. The marriage was initially proposed by her father, but Mehmed refused. Nontheless when Trabzon was taken in 1461 Anna entered the harem and stayed there for two years after which Mehmed married her off to Zaganos Mehmed Pasha.

[mihrunnisasultans]

Who are the female characters in MC that you don’t like besides Hürrem?

Gülşah -all I can say... so happy Mahi finally threw her out, but her still keeping Gülşah despite her shit harming also her showed an important aspect of Mahi - she gets truly attached, sometimes too attached, back in S1 she begged Ibrahim to keep Gülşah because otherwise she would feel lonely.

Fatma Hatun - So aggressive and sadistic and vulgar. Plus being so eager to burn someone’s face? Just no.

Huricihan - Such wasted potential.. I liked her at first, but later she was just sheer annoyance. She became so Bayezid obsessed too, it blinded her too much. Not only she betrayed her cousin in such an awful way, she seemed to have no clue why Bayezid is so mad and only seemed sorry because of his reaction and how she ruined their relationship. Then after Mustafa and Cihangir (her good friend) died, she like did not seem to even register it? Only came to palace and was all ‘Bayezid Bayezid Bayezid’ and ‘Nurbanu you r a slave lol’. Plus her saying she liked Rüstem (aka person who contributed to her father’s death) because he “supported Bayezid” (not like everyone with a brain would not question loyalty of someone like that.. he is loyal only to his own interests).. wtf is this thinking even. Good the writers realized she became just an annoyance and she got replaced with Defne.

Isabella - Do not get me wrong, she was not some bad person and did not deserve to die in this way (this is for toxic Hurremists who of course dehumanize her to remove Hürrem's culpability for shit), but as character she was the biggest waste of space. And had worst plots and worst arc in the show. And could truly big annoying. Not fan of the acting as well.

Rümeysa - again Plami once wrote comprehensively about her.. so annoying and her obsession with Mustafa was kinda creepy. Hated how she used Nergissah to get into her Daddy’s pants. In Ayse’s place, I would lose my patience as well. 

Dilşah - Kinda didn’t want to write it because she was not even a remotely fleshed character, just a piece of cardboard, but she killed a puppy and I can never let it slide.

Actually a bunch of randoms and not important characters.. Hürrem is special case, but I get why she is interesting as character... it’s simply not my type of character at all.

[ottomanladies]

Mehmed II + harem and children

Gülbahar Hatun: she was a non-muslim slave who was converted after her arrival in the harem, since she was referred to as "Gülbahar Hatun binti Abdullah", which is how non-muslim concubines who were converted were called. In a document regarding the purchase of a place in Amasya, she’s called “the queen of queens, crown and praise of esteemed women, auspicious and benevolent Gülbahar Hatun binti Abdullah”. There is no agreement on her origins, Babinger says she was of lowly Slav origins; other historians think she was Albanian. She was the mother of Gevherhan Hatun and of the future Bayezid II. She signed her letters to her son as “Valide Hatun”, where she complained she didn’t see him enough. Bayezid II built a mosque in her honour in Edirne, which was destroyed in the 20th century. She died in 1492 and was buried in her mausoleum inside the Fatih Mosque.

Sitti Mükrime Hatun: she was the daughter of Dulkadiroğlu Süleyman Bey, the sixth ruler of Dulkadir State. After the second Kosovo victory, Murad II decided to establish an alliance with the Dulkadir State against the Karamanids. The wife of Hızır Ağa was sent to choose the bride and she decided on Mükrime, described as the most beautiful of Süleyman Bey’s daughters. The wedding celebrations lasted three months, no other wedding was celebrated for so long, but the marriage produced no children. Mehmed II and Sitti Hatun tranferred to Manisa, on Murad II’s orders. When Mehmed became sultan, they moved to Edirne and she continued to live there even after her husband had conquered Istanbul. After Mehmed’s death, she obtained permission from Bayezid II to build a mosque in Edirne. She died in September 1486 and was buried in a mausoleum built inside her mosque.

Çiçek Hatun: her origins are unknown. It is said she was Serbian, Greek, Venetian or even French. She was the mother of Ottoman claimant Sultan Cem, whom she gave birth to on 22 December 1459. It is not known the degree of influence she enjoyed during Mehmed II’s reign or if she was particularly favoured by him. She accompanied her son to Konya in 1474 and then to Cairo when he lost his battle for the throne against Bayezid II. Çiçek Hatun was her son’s most loyal ally and fought incessantly for him even during his captivity in Europe. She died in Cairo on 3 May 1498.

Gülşah Hatun: there is no information about her origins, she joined Mehmed’s harem when he was governor of Manisa. She gave birth to her only son Şehzade Mustafa in 1450 and followed him to Konya when he became governor of the province. The prince died on 25 December 1474 and she retired to Bursa afterwards, where she built a tomb for him. She died in 1487.

Anna Hatun: the daughter of Trabzon Greek emperor David Komnenos and Helena Kantakuzenos. Her father suggested the marriage but Mehmed II did not accept it. Nevertheless, when Trabzon was taken in 1461, Anna entered the harem and stayed there for two years, after which Mehmed II married her off to Zaganos Mehmed Pasha.

Helena Hatun: daughter of the Despot of Morea Demetrios Paleologos, Mehmed II asked for her after his campaign in Morea, having heard of her beauty. In the end he never bedded her because he was afraid she would poison him, and she died in Edirne before 1470.

Hatice Hatun: daughter of Zaganos Mehmed Pasha

Children:

Gevherhan Hatun: daughter of Gülbahar Hatun and thus full-sister of Bayezid II, she must have been born before 1448. She married Uğurlu Mehmed Mirza, son of Ak Koyunlu ruler Uzun Hasan Bey, in 1746, and had a son with him, Göde Ahmed Bey. Her husband was appointed governor of Sivas by Mehmed II but died only a year later, in 1477, assassinated. It is said that Sinan Paşa, who was very influential during Bayezid II’s reign, was married to the sultan’s own sister. It is possible that Gevherhan remarried after 1477 or that she had a sister. Her date of death is unknown but she died in Istanbul and was buried in the mausoleum of her mother.

Bayezid II (12.1447/1.1448 - 10.6.1512): son of Gülbahar Hatun, 8th sultan of the Ottoman Empire.

Şehzade Mustafa (1450 - 15.12.1474): son of Gülşah Hatun. Governor of Konya until his death. Had a son called Hali.

Şehzade (Sultan) Cem (22.12.1459 - 25.2.1495): son of Çiçek Hatun, governor to Konya after his brother Mustafa's death and claimant to the Ottoman throne after the death of Mehmed II. Father of Şehzade Murad, Şehzade Oğuz and a daughter who married firstly the Mameluke Sultan Nasir Mehmed and secondly Mustafa Bey (son of Sinan Paşa). Şehzade Murad and his two sons were executed by Süleyman I in 1522.

Ayşe Hatun: appears only in The Structure of the Ottoman Dynasty by Alderson.

Unnamed Princess: according to Alderson she married Hasan Bey, son of Candaroğlu İsmail Bey

Unnamed Princess: according to Alderson, she was Mehmed II's fourth daughter.

Şehzade Nureddin: Alderson gave no information about him.

sources:

Alderson, The Structure of the Ottoman Dynasty

Necdet Sakaoğlu - Bu Mülkün Kadın Sultanları

M. Çağatay Uluçay - Padişahların Kadınları ve Kızları