The Magnificent Century

Page 1.

It is Manisa, 1520, while hunting through the woods, young 26 year old Prince Süleyman discovers his father the Sultan Selim has died, and that he must part to Constantinople to take the throne. Meanwhile, a Ukrainian girl named Alexandra gets kidnapped in a Tartar slave raid. Her mother, father, and sister are killed.

Süleyman arrives at Constantinople with his best friend, Pargalı Ibrahim Paşa. Alexandra is taken on a ship through the Black Sea, where she is mistreated and beat badly, for she is very rebellious and claims she'd rather die than be in the Ottoman's possession.

The Ottoman pirates sell Alexandra to the Palace at Crimea, and from there she is sold to the Topkapı Palace (the palace where Süleyman is). Once Alexandra arrives at the palace she is inspected, and accepted in the Sultan's harem.

Mahidevran Sultan, a senior hatun and mother of the sultan's only son Mustafa, gets worried when she notices Süleyman is not spending time with her.

Nigar (another one of the main Harem leaders) side-bars with Alexandra and explains to her that all of them arrived as slaves, but if she behaves herself and does as she is told, she will be called out to see the Sultan, and if she wins his heart, and has a son, she will rule the world as a Sultana.

Hatice, (Suleyman's sister), hears Ibrahim begin to play his violin at night from his terrace, and falls in love with him.

That night, there is a big party to welcome Süleyman, and many slave girls, including Alexandra, are chosen to dance for him. Süleyman watches Alexandra dance, and falls madly in love with her. Alexandra is then invited to spend a night in the sultan's room. She is sent once, but sent back due to a mishap with Mahidevran.

The next day as Alexandra gets ready to properly meet the sultan, she talks with the leader of the harem, Nigar hatun. Nigar tells Alexandra that Thursday is a sacred day to them, and that the sultan only sees his favorite hatun that day (it is Wednesday). Alexandra is discontent upon knowing this, but spends a wonderful night with him.

Mahidevran is getting ready to see the sultan since it is Thursday and it is the custom, but then she gets news that Alexandra will spend that night with the sultan as well. This devastates Mahidevran. The sultan changes Alexandra's name to Hürrem, which is what brings joy to ones face. One night, at a party, Mahidevran intimidates Hürrem, making her dance. Mahidevran called Hürrem Alexandra and Hürrem corrected her, which was considered an offense, and the Valide Sultan sent Hürrem to be punished.

Mahidevran later visits Hurrem in the dungeon, and remarks that if she wishes to be freed all she must do is kiss her dress fold, and excuse herself. Hurrem refuses though, claiming she has nothing to apologize for. Mahidevran then leaves her in the dungeon.

Days afterwards, Süleyman demands to see Hürrem and removes her from her punishment. When the Valide Sultan finds out about this, Hürrem falls further from the Valide's grace. Hurrem is in horrible conditions, and is ill for several day.

Süleyman gives a ring to Hürrem as a gift. When Mahidevran sees the ring she tries to pry it from Hürrem's hand, but Hürrem manages to escape with the ring.

Mahidevran, screaming and crying, faints. Mahidevran is pregnant. One morning, Mahidevran beats Hürrem severely, blaming Hürrem for her resent miscarriage. When the sultan finds out, he tells Mahidevran he does not love her anymore.

Süleyman parts on his first campaign. In order to get rid of Hürrem in Süleyman's absence, the Valide Sultan plans to marry Hürrem with Casim Paşa's son, Hürrem refuses to leave and lies to the Valide Sultan, telling her she can't leave because she is pregnant. The Valide Sultan believes the lie and lets Hürrem stay, but she tells Daye Hatun, to take Hürrem to the doctor in secret. Hürrem asks Maria (her best friend in the harem, who was kidnapped with her in her village), to help her run away. Maria refuses, and when Daye and Nigar hatun come to take Hürrem to the medic, Hürrem breaks a vase and threatens to commit suicide if they come any closer. Nigar convinces Hürrem to put the glass down. They take her to the medic and Hürrem discovers she is actually pregnant.

Süleyman receives news that Hürrem is pregnant and is very happy. Weeks later, Süleyman returns from his campaign. Later Hurrem gives birth to another daughter named Mihrimah.