Nilüfer Hatun

It is the summer of 1305. Just after noon, the hottest time of day. Söğüt Creek flows lazily as it skirts the meadow and picks up speed when it empties into a secluded pond. The water is fresh and the setting restful with its willows and tall poplars on abundant, shoulder-high, thick grass. The soft wind caresses Nilüfer Sultana’s long and wavy blond hair, as she sits on the edge of the pond to feel the coolness of its water.

Pregnancy has given the young woman a luminous air. Her purple eyes glow brightly. She is somewhat apprehensive. She fervently wishes to give birth to a boy who will be the heir to the Sultanate. She will welcome that as a gift from God.

Her prayers for a baby boy take her mind to her husband Sultan Orhan with whom she is endlessly in love. It was in Yarhisar, a Byzantine castle on the borders of Ottoman-held lands. She was called Holofera then, the beautiful daughter of Yarhisar Governor Mikhail. It was at a chance meeting with Orhan during a festival that their mutual love was born. Orhan discussed the situation with his father Osman Bey.

The elder Osman agreed to ask her father for her hand, but he was refused because Holofera was engaged to be married soon to the son of the Governor of Bilecik. Osman Bey says to his son: “That’s all I can do, the rest is up to you.” Sultan Orhan gathers his forces and attacks the wedding ceremony. He abducts the girl he loves and marries her himself. The wedding takes place on the banks of Söğüt creek during a wondrous ceremony.

Holofera converts to Islam by her own wish. They change her name to Nilüfer. The Sultana murmurs longingly, almost as a sigh, a song, a call to her husband: “I love you Orhan, I cannot live without you.”