[morazow]

In Ottoman empire the Sultans do not get married, I think it was forbidden. They have Harem, the women are concubines.

The story is that Roxelana (aka Hürrem Sultan) got herself freed and when Süleyman wants her, refuses and tells him "he needs to marry her" since she is not a slave anymore. She was only woman marring a sultan.

His was interesting fact for me also, because it means all sultans are kinda bastards. But a little research shows that children are not considered bastards. Also from religion point of view.

[_nedR]

If i remember correctly this was a rule that was politically motivated to keep the polical power concentrated within the family.