Who was Sultana Nurbanu?

Some claim Nurbanu was a Venetian woman named Cecilia Baffo Veniero abducted abducted from Paros island when it was captured by Barbarossa. Others say she was a Greek woman named Kale Kartanou from Corfu. To this day, no one knows for certain. Once in the folds of the Ottoman Empire, she became known as Nurbanu. Her destiny was to became favourite consort and legal wife of Ottoman Sultan Selim II and mother of Murad III.

Wherever she came from, she one day found herself the head of the Sultan's harem. Despite the Sultan's right to take as many concubines as he wished, Nurbanu was his favorite because of her sharp wit and breathtaking beauty. Because of her propensity for good judgement, he reated her as an advisor and respected her opinion in many matters.  

In return, she was a devoted wife and wonderful mother. When she gave birth to Murad, she knew that one day, when it came time to succession, he might be murdered, as had happened many times in the past where entire families were massacred. Nurbanu was determined never to let this happen. 

Murad was away serving as goveror of Manisa when her husband died in 1574. Nurbanu realized her life's son may be in danger by a usurper of power. Before anyone could learn of her husband's death, she hid his body in the harem in an icebox and then summoned her son to return home. Only when Murad made it home, did she announce her husband's death. In this way, Murad became the next sultan and she became the highest ranking woman in the sultanate and very powerful indeed. She managed the government and acted as co-regent with her son. 

Her reach was long. She was a pen pal of Queen Catherine de Medici of France and the Venetians proudly followed her reign, writing about her often. That's because she was good for the Venetian government. For as much as she was loved by the Venetians, she was spurned by their rivals, the Genoese who resented her unwavering support of all things Venetian. When she died in Istanbul on December 7, 1583, it was suspected she might have been poisoned by a Genoese spy. 

Hoyden of the Week

Do these heads make our butts look big?

Scandalous Bad Girl - Alice Caush

This is Alice Caush. Alice is a thief. She stole a watch from a sailor named George. Poor George. When his ship reached port, he received his pay. Accompanied by two friends, he departed for his lodgings. Along the way, they met Alice and her friend. They agreed to go to George's lodgings. Of course, they all drank and fell asleep. When George awoke, he noticed his watch missing from his pocket. He called the police. It did not take long for the police to locate the missing watch at a local pawn shop. The pawnbroker gave evidence that he advanced Alice 6s 6d for a watch that she said belonged to her brother. Caught red handed, Alice pleaded guilty to the offence and received 14 days in prison. 

Hoyden of the Week

Me? Smoke? Certainly not! My hands have never raised a cigarette to my lips!

Scandalous Bad Girl - Annie Anderson

This is Annie Anderson. Annie kept a brothel despite being convicted and serving a one month sentence for a similar offence the month before. Apparently, the moment she was released from prison, she hurried back to her old room and continued to carry on managing the whorehouse just as before. It wasn't long before serious complaints spewed forth and the police had no choice but to re-arrest Annie. This time she was sentence to three months hard labour. Don't be like Annie Anderson!

Vintage Beauty

Gutsy Gal - Martha Louise Black

Martha Louise Black was a true lady, but with a very tough constitution. In 1898 she abandoned Chicago society and went north to take part in the exciting Kondike Gold Rush. Fascinated by the North, Martha opened a milling business to support her three sons by her first marriage. At the age of 70, she entered politics and campaigned on foot throughout the vast Yukon and became the second woman ever elected to the Canadian Parliament. She was known for her great style and spirit. It was these qualities that made her a great legend of the North!

Scandalous Bad Girl - Alice Adeline Cooke

Alice Adeline Cooke

Alice gained notoriety as a bigamist and thief. By the age of 24 she had amassed an impressive number of and at least two husbands that we know of. It's not hard to see why. Even the police were taken with her beauty. They described her as "rather good looking". 

Bad Girl - Susan Joyce

This is Susan Joyce. Susan was caught stealing stealing 6s 5d from a gas meter at a house. When the occupant of the house noticed the meter's broken lock and the money extracted, the police were called.  

Susan's sister, Ellen, did nothing to protect her wayward sister. In fact, she ratted on Susan and told the police that Susan came to her came to her house with her apron full of copper. Susan had no choice but to admit her crime to the investigating detectives. She relinquished the money and was dutifully charged. She was fined 5s and 10s in costs. 

Vintage Beauty circa 1900 to 1910

Thank You

Richard Patzer
November 20, 1946
to
February 24, 2017

I sincerely thank readers, authors, and publishers for their patience over the past few months as I took a break from blogging to care for my husband during his illness and hospitalization. He passed away peacefully at the end of February. His loss has left me and my family in grief and in a struggle to move forward in our lives without him. 

Slowly, I am gathering up the threads of my work I was forced to abandon in my husband's time of need.  

To authors and publishers who have trusted me with your books to review, please know I am slowly working through a backlog and you will receive a review in due time. To readers who have waited patiently for my opinions and recommendations on new historical book releases, please visit often as I get back to reading and reviewing once more.