“At first glance, she [Gülnüş] seems to be completely adverse to any affair but in reality with her arts, deceptions and flatteries with which she bends the Gran Signore’s will, she has a large share in deliberations and graces. From this stems the most pungent jealousy of the Queen Mother, now 60 years old, who, having governed the empire with despotic power during her son’s minority, bitterly resents seeing the other being preferred in esteem and confidence.”
“With great pride, she shows respect and devotion to the Queen mother-in-law, she pretends to be adverse to any affair; at the same time she uses all the arts, her intellect and flatteries, not only to have a share in deliberations but to keep herself alone in command with the Sovereign.” — Giovanni Morosini di Alvise (1680)
