Hüma Hatun

It is July of 1444. Sultan Murad Khan, signs a ten-year treaty with the
Hungarians. But the Senate of Venice has other ideas. Aiming to drive the
Ottomans out of Rumelia, the Venetians convince the Hungarian King to renege
on the treaty. All of Europe is united in opposing the Ottoman Empire. Murad
sets out for war, which lasts many months on Balkan soil. Finally victorious,
the Sultan heads home. His exultant news is announced with canonnades from
the top of Keşiş Mountain. Bursa, the capital city, resounds with joy. All
the citizens pour onto the streets to celebrate boisterously. Velvet banners
are hung down from the palace’s walls, to welcome the return of their
glorious Sultan and his brave army. Murad, salutes his people but does not
linger. He is anxious to see his beloved wife, Hüma Sultana. She is breezily
dressed in her unbuttoned long dress which is embroidered with golden thread
in a design of clouds on a pale-rose sky. The bejeweled poniard dangles on
her waist in its silver sheath. A triple golden-chain necklace adorns her
neck and diamond rings glitter on her delicate fingers. Tears well up in the
bright green eyes of this mother of the future conqueror of Istanbul. Then,
she smiles sensually and embraces her husband with her naked arms. She
caresses Sultan Murad’s tanned face with her own velvet-smooth cheeks, her
pink welcoming lips. She is all tenderness and love. She murmurs: “The star
of my happiness! Put your hand on my heart and feel how fast it beats.” Hüma,
who founded “Hatuniye School” at her own expense, now rests in peace in her
mausoleum which was constructed by her husband.