A little
Ottoman and House of Osman History
the period she is going to describe is between the 14th
and 15th century..the height of slave trade and stealing
of European noblewomen..particularly those of Irish, Scot,
and Spanish descent, between the ages of 13-15, preferably.
some slaves for the auction block were obtained commoners
and royalty alike of other countries and regions - Circassia,
Cathay, the Steppes, and Greece.
after being abducted, the girl was taken aboard a slaving
ship..usually to the large market at Cypress. there..slavers
from all over the Mediterranean converged with a diverse
"cargo". most slaves were not mistreated...and
those of noble birth were cared for most carefully..to preserve
health, beauty, and all other assets..purchasers from commoners
to high born to agents for heads of state, pashas and nomadic
shahs, or leaders of empires came to Cypress to bid for
the choicest. she will concentrate on the purchasing done
by either the agi-kislar ( the Sultan's Head Eunuch ) or
an underling appointed by the agi. generally, the Sultan's
compliment of slaves, in the Empirical seat at Constantinople,
was kept at around 100. As each of His sons came of age,
He would hold a reception..to declare the administrative
part of the realm the Son would be appointed to, establish
a serai, and His own household. this was how the Sons learned
to govern, learned the most complex of Law of Allah, and
of the Sword of Ayub. it was at this reception, that the
choicest of the new slaves, hand picked by the agi-kislar
and approved by the Sultan..were presented to the Prince.
those purchased by the agi-kislar began immediate training
as gehdlikahs - slaves. the girls were assigned in small
"schools" of 10 - each with a training mother.
the girls lived in this small court..eating, sleeping, training,
learning - all under the agi-kislar and the training mother.
it wasn't long before those not suited to higher service
were culled out..and sent to other areas of the palace for
clothing making/cleaning, kitchen work, cleaning, and other
menial positions - which they would stay in for the rest
of their lives. the culling process was continual..and those
who learned the language, arts, music, the women's Laws,
customs..etc..and were of beauty and greatest intelligence
survived the weeding out. those left, after initial training,
were reorganized into groups of 10..this time assigned to
a Court Kadin for final training and polishing.
these lucky gehdlikahs went on to learn the more refined
arts of exquisite embroidery and higher music, care of the
gardens, the religion of Islam and most of all - how to
attract and pleasure a Master. once this was done to the
Kadin's satisfaction...the gehdlikahs were given a very
carefully selected wardrobe and accessories - the pelisse,
the short vest, the sheer trousers..in silks, velvets, and
jewelry/tiara in a metal most complimentary to their complexions,
hair, and eyes - and to compliment their "wardrobe
colors" . from there training was even more refined..some
educating in the politics of the empire and government,
palace protocols, and the most important - the customs and
service to the Master/Prince/Sultan - everything from how
to present oneself, approach, speak to, enter chambers,
and even His bed, if invited. when this process was complete,
an examination by the agi-kislar and three physicians to
guarantee and officially certify virginity was done..and
the girls were ready for presentation at a reception. sometimes...the
Sultan's eye would fall upon a certain girl..and He would
take her for His personal seraglio.
at the reception...the top 15-20 gehdlikahs were dressed
in their finest and were presented to the Prince, one by
one. His choice of 5 - those 5 He wished to be His kadins
- was made. this was done by the giving of a fine linen
cloth to each of the 5 He chose. the rest were returned
to their courts..to work and train further..and dream of
the next time. occasionally, the Sultan might choose and
make a gift of one or more to administrators and men of
importance in His government or to an Ally.
once the choices were made..the wardrobes, few possessions,
and any handcrafted items made during training were packed
among the Prince's carvan to His new home...His own serai.
He was also given a full compliment of house slaves, eunuchs,
and the choice of His own lesser agi and retired training
Kadin. once installed in the new serai, a period of adjustment
was given...for the household to be established, further
training, and general settling into the new life. the Prince
more than likely would leave for a period of a month - either
to war, further military and or governmental training, or
just travel to other parts of the empire. within that time
frame, the 5 chosen kadins-to-be would each find her "niche"
and apply herself to some aspect and responsiblity of His
house.
upon His return, a private dinner, in the company of all
5, would be arranged for Him to "formally" meet
them. He might "quiz" each..learning her potential,
strengths, and particular skills/talents.
behavior was very formal, although congenial and usually
lighthearted during this dinner - He wishing to learn all
He could of each..and to set each at ease. often..this was
when He would know...which of the 5 He would call to "His
couch" first. until called to Him alone..the girls
remained gehdlikahs.
they never knew when the call would come..or who would be
first. but when it came..it was unmistakable..a white linen
cloth embroidered with His royal seal of the House of Osman..would
be brought to the first chosen. that would mean..she had
some hours to prepare before the eunuchs came with the palanquin
that would carry her to His chambers.
she would be immediately whisked away and attended to..bathed,
plucked, perfumed, hair arranged in the style He preferred,
dressed with utmost care in her most seductive and color
complimentary attire, and her gedhlikah jewelry - usually
a tiara, waist chain, earrings, and throat chain. her face
was lightly veiled, and she was delivered to the doors of
His chambers. the head eunuch would ask for admittance..the
palanquin would be borne into the entrance, and by His voice
only would she rise and leave it. the enuchs were then dismissed
- two posted at the locked outer doors for the night - taking
the palanquin with them.
she was the chosen...the first..and once taken by Him..and
consummated..she would officially become His kadin. although
she would not automatically become evermore first and most
high - bas-kadin, she stood the best chance, and He planned
it that way. usually, if she pleased Him...He would not
call another for a number of months. bas-kadin was the title
held by the kadin who first bore Him a Son. usually, mathematics
and nature secured that place for her..unless she was unlucky
enough to produce a daughter first. once a Son was born..that
kadin forever more became His first, His most cherished
and trusted, His Bas-kadin. the remaining 4..as called to
His couch and taken..became kadins, who forever would give
( or were supposed to ) utmost respect, deference, obedience,
and tasking by the Bas-kadin.
an interesting note..once a kadin became pregnant and it
was confirmed, she no longer went to His couch until 2 months
after the birth, by the Law of Islam. that was often when
He would move to call another..
she will return to the duties, responsibilities, and service
of a kdain or Bas-kadin in a moment. unless "removed"
during her motherhood years for treachery, treason, disloyalty,
adultery, or other cause..the Bas-kadin, if her Son became
the Heir and subsequent Sultan, through sucession through
death or extreme illness of her Sultan, was once again raised
in status..to the highest attainable by ANY woman in the
empire - the Sultan Vadehlah. she became second ONLY to
her Son the Sultan..and remained so until her death. another
note...by the Laws of Islam and the House of Osman..no "official"
marriage or ceremony was ever done. the physical taking
was the "official" act..making a gehdlikah a kadin
- His "slave" still but very very much His "wife"
- as the western world saw things.
granted..this was the way it way to be..all that has been
said. Harmony should have reigned..and the Prince or Sultan
just, loving, and caring for all of His kadins. but as in
all cultures..there were many exceptions to that. sometimes
there was extreme jealousy among the kadins..particularly
over the Heir apparent and His brothers. that also led sometimes
to poisoning of another kadin or her son..pouring lies into
the ears of the Master..many different treacheries. Some
Princes and Sultans were terrible to their kadins..and terrible
administrators..another note..the ONLY males allowed in
the house, save the Prince/Sultan and male children of His..were
eunuchs..or royal Soldiers..of the Jannisaries. seraglios
were NOT loose brothels, as has been the thought of many
westerners. the hareem was carefully guarded..movement of
the gehdlikahs and kadins restricted if without official
escort. any M/male found in the serai, uninvited and not
eunuch..soon became one...or was castrated and executed.
execution of intruders or of treacherous slaves, eunuchs
or even kadins was either by garrot or being put into a
stone-filled sack, it tied shut..and thrown into the sea
or other body of water. adultery by a kadin was punishable
by death.
she was responsible for an area of His serai..the slaves
or the gardens...or His commissary..etc. the Bas-kadin oversaw
all..and replaced the training Kadin...who was then returned
to Constantinople.
though menial work was out of the question for kadins..they
did continue to provide His household with tapestries, embroidered
items, adornment ( beading, etc ) of clothing..and also
oversaw the raising of all of His children. boys and girls
were raised separately..in different courts of the serai,
until the boys were 13. this doesn't mean that all the kadins,
children, and the Master were never together..quite the
contrary. specified times for "Family" were set
aside whenever He was in residence and not off on official
business or battle. another note..each Prince was taught
a trade...such as leatherwork, gold work, smithing, or other
trade..while growing up..and were well-versed in all of
the arts.
back to the first night..once she had entered His chambers.
she would immediately kneel..then prostrate herself as He
approached her - IF He deigned to do so. Some would call
the girl to Them. she would then return to her knees...head
down and make the sign of obeisance - touching of the forehead,
the chest, and then hands open to Him. He would then retire
to His couch - not a bed, more along the lines of the Roman
reclining chair. that was her signal to rise..and approach
Him..head lowered, eyes lowered..and kneel before Him. He
would then command her to raise her head...and her eyes..if
He was pleased...He would then remove the veil. she would
offer the white linen cloth to Him..another sign of obedience.
if He was still pleased..He would accept it..
food and drink ( never alcoholic ) were available..and He
would ask her to serve Him...
grace, fluid movement, exquisite motion of the hands, and
being totally demure at this point were first and foremost.
not only would she kiss the rim of His cup..she would take
first sip..offering herself as a shield against possible
poisoning. she would do the same with the food..then would
literally hand-feed Him..and hold His cup for Him to drink
from. He in turn..often to set her at ease..and bring increasingly
intimacy to "getting aquainted" time - would offer
food and drink to her. it was up to Him whether conversation
took place at this time or not. once this was concluded..she
would reach ito the sleeve of her pelisse and offer, with
head lowered, her certificate of virginity. if still pleased..He
would accept it..and then leave that receiving room for
the bedchambers. she would remain kneeling...and wait. the
usual bedchamber attire for Him was a loose robe of white
lamb's wool...lightly sashed.
when He wished her to enter..He would recline upon His bed
and call to her. she would rise...and enter the room..and
approach gradually...stopping at intervals to kneel and
bow her head to the tiles..before moving closer. He could
dismiss her at any point if He so chose. once she reached
the side of the bed..she would bow once more, make the sign
of obeisance, then hold a corner of the bedsilks in her
two hands..if He nodded..she would kiss the bedsilks..from
there..He accepted her into His bed. how exactly she entered
was a matter of His personal preference. Some preferred
a "slavelike" entry..a crawling and timid entrance..Others..preferred
a sensual and seductive entry...and yet Others..a more "virginal"
approach..allowing the showing of fear, nervousness..etc.
she was not to open or remove any part of her attire..that
was for Him to do, as He wished. often..He would use the
arts He learned himself..recite love poetry..sing a Persian
ancient love song..as He undressed her. her jewelry was
always left on..it was up to Him if He wished to remove
His robe...or only unsash it..which He would direct her
to do. many were reticent and shy about the baring of their
body..and of His gaze. it was the custom for Him, as royalty,
not to behave as a boor - but to coax, sooth, distract,
gently but firmly - He would NOT be denied. of course Some..by
nature..used a more forceful and brutal approach. but the
Sultan or a Prince was also supposed to be a "Gentleman"
( although that was a western term ) . once she was bared
to Him..He would take the white linen cloth and place it
under her.
Most were hardly Virgins themselves..having learning the
arts of love between the ages of 15-20, from slaves well-versed
in such and strictly for that purpose and during their travels.
elaborate foreplay was a very large part of Persian lovemaking.
before any of her own taught skills could be used for His
pleasure..consummation had to take place. first penetration
and the breaking of the hymen was always done in what we
call the missionary position..so as to catch the blood on
the white linen beneath her. that act..was the "marriage"
- the stained cloth both a verification of her coming to
Him a virgin..and also as a symbolic bond - much like a
wedding ring. it was recorded and sealed in a gold box..and
placed in the serai "treasury" as official record
of her status as His kadin. a copy of documentation and
a cut piece of stained linen was dispatched to Constantinople
by a heavily guarded swift courier ( one of the duties of
the Jannisaries) ..and she recorded officially in the House
of Osman lineage.
once broken..true lovemaking and pleasuring could take place.in
the total privacy of His chamber...barriers and protocols
were often dropped. intimacy, playfulness, total pleasure
in every way was pursued. from there He could also use her
in any way He wished..as often as He wished..and what took
place behind the doors..was as varied as any other culture
in the world - given the sexual appetites of Him, His nature,
etc. another note..bondage as we know it was not often employed..nor
was physical pain or discipline inflicted in the bedchamber.
but yes..there were Those who did, and once attained..treated
their kadins abominably or "forgot" about them
unless in sexual need. There were Those who participated
in the rather taboo practice of allowing use of Their kadins
by visiting dignitaries or even Their brothers or friends.
following that first night..the palanquin would again arrive
at dawn..and He could choose to carry her to it..or have
her go to it herself. back in her own court..she suddenly
found that her possessions and wardrobe were moved to private
luxurious quarters, with lesser slaves of her own..and a
eunuch guard. she would be again bathed, attended to..and
tucked into bed, to sleep the day away..for often she would
be called again that night...and every night from there
on for many weeks.
the training of a kadin and her life of service is multi-faceted.
yes, she was taken against her will, initially..and placed
into a life of "servitude" but unlike others in
positions of slavery, was cherished and valued deeply. yes,
there were exceptions even in the House of Osman - cruel
Princes and Masters..but for the most part, the kadin was
truly a "wife" in every sense...and a slave in
her bounden duty...much as a filial servitude to a Liege
Lord. she was not required to "love" her Prince
or Master..but to serve loyally and without reservation
in every capacity she could, including that of overseer
of His House, and as His confidante and advisor. disloyalty,
adultery, treachery, etc..were considered high treason and
punishable by death. immodesty in the presence of other
Men..was reason for beating. other displeasing behaviors,
if not corrected could result in divorce - although that
did not happen often. removal was usually by other means.
the bas-kadin ( or in the extremely rare instance of none
of the chosen kadins bearing a son ) "first kadin"
was in total charge of the Household - the overseeing and
assignments of work by houseslaves, eunuchs, the other kadins.
she also oversaw the work and disbursements of the treasury
pash-eem ( administrator of the money - always a trained
and trusted eunuch ), and made decisions in the absence
of her Lord and Master. although she didnt not prepare food
or drink for her Master...she, when in pvt chambers, served
Him. a eunuch would taste all food and drink for His safety.
when she served..she also would taste, even though often
symbolic in nature..placing herself in any possible jeopardy,
rather than risk the life and health of her Master.
He would often eat meals separately, surrounded by His
male Advisors, Male Guests, Dignitaries, etc. but it was
His choosing when there would be communal family meals.
if so, the first kadin directed the meal, and the other
kadins would do her bidding - feeding His children..serving..etc.
she would serve the Master's food, unless He wished to give
that priviledge from time to time to one of the other kadins.
the kadins had servants - ordinary houseslaves - to assist
with bathing, dressing, and care of their quarters. if not
called to "His couch" a kadin slept in her own
quarters. the first kadin...or bas-kadin was usually the
one who spent most of her nights with Him when He was present
in the House..the others might pleasure Him at other times
of day as He wished. it was up to her to summon any of her
sisters, should the Master require them, and look to the
appearence and preparation of her sisters when called to
the couch. she was often close to and often in consultation
with the Head Eunuch of the Household..he was responsible
for the smooth operation of the Master's Residence and other
holdings...stables, the administrative duties involved in
overseeing, adjudicating when the Master was not present,
tax-collecting, protection, etc of the peoples living in
the Master's administrative area of the realm.
the kadin had no possessions of her own, per se, but was
often showered with gifts, clothing, jewelry, items from
her Master's travels. they were "hers"..but could
be removed from her "possession" at His whim.
Much depended upon the personality and type of Man the Master
was. as a ghedlikah..before being chosen as a kadin..she
of course was converted to Islam, learned the turkish tongue,
the customs, taboos, dietary restrictions of the faith and
culture. there were very rare instances of a European or
Asian born and raised kadin retaining her own faith - again,
at the Master's decision. but ALL of His issue were raised
in Islam, regardless - male and female children alike.
the kadin, by Western standards, was regarded as nothing
more than a slave and whore. there was not a formal marriage
as in Western cultures. however, her position as a kadin
or bas-kadin was as if not more deep, eternal, binding,
sacred, and "official" as any wife's in western
cultures. any service He wished...from personal attending
to His health and bodily needs to pleasuring was her duty.
His state of mind, relaxation, bathing, massage, entertainment,
needed confidential conversation, His troubles, stresses,
worries etc..were hers. anything He wished or needed, if
not available were hers and her sisters responsiblity to
take care of and fulfill. His health, well-being, happiness
were paramount. ideally, those matter of the children and
House should not interfere with His duties as a Ruler, although
problems could, should, and would be brough to Him if the
kadin(s) needed advice or decision.
signs of obeisance were part of the kadin's life..and became
second nature. in His presence..or in approaching..she always
knelt..modestly..and bowed. the kissing of hands and holding
them to her forehead showed her loyalty, bounden heart,
and obedience. the touching of her forehead, very turkish
and modestly Islamic, showed deference and obedience and
thankfulness for her "chosen position" - and also
were used in thanks or acknowledgement of His notice, assistance,
or permission granted. in approaching His bed..the kneeling..and
bowing full to the floor..arms outstretched..showed her
opennness and knowledge of her place and duty of pleasure
to Him. the position of sexual servitude - the position
of total submission to His sexual need and will was also
taught as a pleasing and arousing point. the kneeling and
crossing of her ankles behind her..arms behind her head..thighs
open, back straight..and at a nod from Him..the lying back,
hips raised..legs back under her ..her sex opened and lifted
to Him..arms flung out to the sides..and hands open...back
arched so that shoulders and hips only touched the tiles..breasts
pushed upward...left her totally vulnerable to His gaze...and
whatever He desired from there. that position was NEVER
used anywhere but in His prvt chambers or quarters when
she accompanied Him on campaign or travel. her body, most
of her face, her sexual parts were NEVER seen by ANY M/male
( other than those castrated servants or the agi-kislar
) save Him or a physician. even with a physician..other
kadins or trusted household persons..or the Master Himself..was
always in attendence, for births as well as illness or injury.
she has tried to outline as fully as she can, the life and
service of a kadin. once read, this may prompt questions,
Master, which she will answer to the best of her knowledge
and ability.