Safiye Sultan

“looke well to the other businesse and not to meddle any more with the women…’

 

Safiye Sultan (c.1550-1619) was one of the most influential Ottoman figures of the 17^th century. When her husband, Sultan Murat III died in 1595, their son Mehmet acceded the throne, making her Valide Sultan (Sultan’s Mother)– one of the most powerful positions in the entire Ottoman Empire. Kamalay (2019) argues that for the century following Suleiman the Magnifent’s death in 1566 ‘Valide Sultans held the dynasty and the empire together…Safiye outshone her son, two grandsons and a great-grandson who succeeded one aother to the throne during her lifetime. Noting that behind every incompetent, mentally defective, or otherwise lacklustre Sultan stood a sane and skillful woman, Ottoman historians refer to this period as the “Sultanate of Women”.

Safiye was born a Christian in Northern Albania, but was sold as a concubine to the young ottoman Prince Murat who named her “Safiye” meaning “purely chosen”. In 1556, the couple had a son, the future Sultan Mehmet. Prince Murat adored Safiye even once he acceded to the throne in 1573. Infact, his mother felt that his love of Safiye was unnatural and worried that it was a sign of impotence (showing how rare it was for an Ottoman ruler to remain dedicated to one woman). His mother persecuted Safiye and exiled her household, and eventually persuaded her son to take other concubines for political benefits (with whom he had 23 sons and 28 daughters so I think he proved his virility to his mother and beyond!)

However, even after agreeing to take secondary wives, Safiye remained first in his heart and he took her with him to his new palace at Instanbul where they were known for spending hours in the garden deep in conversation! After the death of her conniving mother in law, Safiye’s power increased. Her position as most powerful woman of the hareem allowed her to demonstrate her generosity however she saw fit – including showering the crowds with coins at her daughter’s wedding!

Upon the death of her husband and accession of her son, she became even more influential. Her first act as Valide Sultan was to criminalise the practice of drowning women for adultery. She noted that this hypritical practice was not in keeping with Quranic teaching, and told the mayor that ‘her sonne had left him to governe the citie and not to devoure the women…’  

“May you too always be firm in friendship. God-willling, may our friendship never die.’ – Letter from Sufiye to Elizabeth I.

 

However, she was also noted for her diplomacy. One ambassador described her as “a woman of her word, trustworthy, and I can say that in her alone I have found truth in Constantinople” – thus showing that her skill and popularity probably outweighed that of her male counterparts.

Most notably, Safiye enjoyed a good friendship and close alliance with Queen Elizabeth I of England. Many letters survive between the pair, detailing their affection and the gifts  (such as this outfit sent to Elizabeth by Safiye) which they bestowed on each other. She writes to Elizabeth: ‘I constantly admonish my son…to act according to the treaty. I do not neglect to speak to him in this manner. God-willing, may you not suffer grief in this respect.’ This shows that Safiye had political influence over her son as well as personal, and that not only was she aware of diplomatic issues but had direct bearing on them. The Ottomans were a powerful ally of Britain at this time, and it speaks a great deal that Safiye was entrusted to maintain this crucial partnership with a Queen whose wrath many other leaders had provoked. Elizabeth’s gifts show that she viewed Safiye as a royal equal and that she was regarded with respect internationally as well as domestically. Interestingly, Safiye – although evoking Allah and the Prophet Muhammad - also addresses Eliabeth as ‘the crowned rule of Englad, who follows Jesus and whom princes obey: a woman in the path of Mary, the chaste and virtuous.’ I really love this as not only does it show interreligious respect and knowledge of the “rival” religions, it also shows that Elizabeth’s reputation as the powerful Virgin Queen was already established in far off zones. You can sense the inspiration that Saifye has for Elizabeth, another powerful woman not afraid to exert her power over men.

Her son Sultan Mehmet III became displeased with his mother’s interference and attempted to exile her to an old palace away from the day-to-day court business. However, she continued to weild influence through her eunuchs. Thus, she ruoled virtually unopposed for five years – continuing to reward those in favour and punish those whom displeased her. Her grandson, Mahmud, complained that his father had been ‘altogether led by the old Sultana…and the state went to ruin, she respecting nothing but her own desire to get money.’ Safiye responded to these accusations by having her son execute his own son for treason shortly before his own demise. Her other grandson, Mahmud’s brother, took no chances in risking the same fate, and had his grandmother banished from court in January 1604. It is believed she lived for at least another decade in the Old Palace.

Safiye’s legacy can most greatly be seen in her patronage of architecture. She was the benefactor of many mosques, madrasas, hospitals, baths. This shows not only her wealth but also her piety and her generosity to her city and citizens. This patronage was paid for with the large stipend she received from court – the subject of a rebellion in 1600 which seems to have done little to quell her influence.

Her most famous treasure is the Yeni Cemii mosque in Istanbul, started in 1597. This is translated as The New Mosque, however it has also been known as the Valide Sultan Mosque and later New Valide Sultan Mosque in honour of its patron Safiye. It was built in the commercial centre of the city, which was predominantly a Jewish area. Safiye hoped that constructing a mosque there would extend the sphere of Islamic influence within the city. She capitalized on the growing discontent of local and foreign merchants caused by the growing power and influence of their Jewish counterparts, which gave the Sultan an easy justification for confiscating their property. However, the vast monetary outlay drew sharp criticism from those who resented the growing political power of the Valide Sultan, and believed the mosque to be an unnecessary expenditure. Safiye was forced to abandon the project upon Mehmed III's death in 1603, however it was finally completed later in the 17^th century by a later Valide Sultan.

Through her four children, all succeeding Ottoman Sultans up to the very last one in the 20^th century were descended from Safiye. As the Ottoman Empire remains one of the most powerful ever to exist, it is not an exaggeration to say that world history would look very different without Safiye the Sultana. I loved reading Safiye’s story not only because it emphasises the importance of women at the time, but gives us a glimpse into a world where across the globe women held more influence than ever before (hence why the 16^th century will always be my fav!). Her touching friendship with Queen Elizabeth, her feistiness in attempting to challenge the patriarchal laws of the time, her benevolent patronage, and her ruthless ability to keep the men of her family and court in check make her one of the most badass women in Islamic history, who shows that women can be the gentle, diplomatic, loving wives and mothers they are supposed to be, while also being powerful and callous political leaders.