Editing Mustafa I (section)

==First reign (1617–1618)==
Ahmed's death created a dilemma never before experienced by the Ottoman Empire. Multiple princes were now eligible for the Sultanate, and all of them lived in Topkapı Palace.<ref name="Börekçi, Mustafa I, p.409"/> A court faction headed by the [[Şeyhülislam]] Esad Efendi and Sofu Mehmed Pasha (who represented the Grand Vizier when he was away from [[Istanbul|Constantinople]]) decided to enthrone Mustafa instead of Ahmed's son Osman. Sofu Mehmed argued that Osman was too young to be enthroned without causing adverse comment among the populace. The [[Chief Black Eunuch]] Mustafa Agha objected, citing Mustafa's mental problems, but he was overruled.<ref>Boyar, Ebru and Kate Fleet. ''[[A Social History of Ottoman Istanbul]]''. New York: [[Cambridge University Press]], p. 42</ref> Mustafa's rise created a new succession principle of seniority that would last until the end of the Empire. It was the first time an Ottoman Sultan was succeeded by his brother instead of his son. His mother [[Halime Sultan]] became the [[Valide sultan]], as well as regent, and wielded great power. Due to Mustafa's mental conditions, she acted as regent and exercised power more directly.

It was hoped that regular social contact would improve Mustafa's mental health, but his behavior remained eccentric. He pulled off the turbans of his viziers and yanked their beards. Others observed him throwing coins to birds and fish. The Ottoman historian [[İbrahim Peçevi]] wrote "this situation was seen by all men of state and the people, and they understood that he was mentally disturbed."<ref name="Fleet. p.42">Boyar and Fleet. ''A Social History'', p. 42</ref>