Safiye Sultan

The first and only concubine to Murad III for a long time became slightly bitter when her husband took more concubines and sired twenty more sons and twenty-seven daughters. She soon forgot her bitterness and Safiye Sultan earned the gratitude of the Sultan by procuring more concubines for him. Murad valued her and consulted with her on political matters. Their only son Mehmed became sultan after Murad's death and Safiye became Valide Sultan - mother sultan, a title with much power. She steered our politics together with Gazanfer Aga, chief of the white eunuchs and head of the enderun - the imperial inner palace. During her son's military campaigns Safiye was left in charge of the treasury and managed to persuade her son to follow her advice in many political matters. Safiye was described by a Venetian ambassador as "a woman of her word, trustworthy, and I call say that in her alone have I found truth in Constantinople; therefore it will always benefit Your Serenity to promote her gratitude.".