Porte

From: Edward G McDonald <EGM_at_trinity-group.co.uk>
Date: Mon, 20 Dec 1999 11:23:34 -0000

Hi there,

In response to Michael:

	Date: Sun, 19 Dec 1999 12:20:47 +1100
	From: MOB <mrmob_at_ozemail.com.au>
	Subject: Instanbul (not Constantinople)

	G'day all,

	They also called the Ottoman Sultan the "Grand Signeur of
Sublime Porte", a
	name that the Ottomans themselves apparently found rather

mystifying.

It has been suggested that this name was given to the Sultan by Western traders, notably the Venetians, due to his habit of receiving non-believers in the gate rooms of his palace, hence the western description of him as the "Grand Seigneur of the Sublime Porte" and the nickname given to the Ottoman Empire of "The Porte", as well as the name given by their enemies to the elite household cavalry, the Qapaqullu
(sp?) of "Sipahis of the Porte".

From Edward McDonald
(A long time lurker)

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