Suleiman, Sultân of the Ottoman Empire and Caliph of Islam, connects with a fiery concubine to share his triumphs and destroy Christianity.

SYNOPSIS:

EPISODE 13, SYNOPSIS, SULEIMAN

The year is 1520, and Suleiman, Caliph and Ruler of the Ottoman Empire, meets with his generals to plan the invasion of Hungary and the eradication of Christianity.

Before he leaves, he meets Roxelana, a fiery, new addition to his harem. The red-haired, Christian beauty captures his heart with her explosive personality. After tense first encounters, they bond and form a union that has important future implications for Islam.

Suleiman calls for the return of his admiral, Barbarossa, to aid in the invasion of Hungary. His participation is important to the moral of the army and the success of the venture.

Suleiman captures Belgrade with an avalanche of artillery. He transforms a cathedral into a mosque, and in the process of taking down a crucifix, sends an important message about a much-needed reform of Catholic theology.

In France, Francis and mother, Louise de Savoie, plan military operations against the Papal States, Castile, and Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor. They all involve sizeable risk and cost.

Francis solicits the prayers of reformers in the healing of daughter, Madeline, who has the sweating sickness. Sister, Marguerite d’Alençon, gives him an important lesson in faith.

At Wartburg Castle, Martin Luther learns of the large number of relics kept by his host, Prince Frederick III. Martin is shocked that his mentor and sponsor engages in such idolatry.

In Wittenberg, reformer and contemporary of Luther, Andreas Karlstadt, aligns with the radical Zwickau Prophets and Thomas Müntzer, an important figure in German history. They sack a cathedral. Luther is furious.

Luther ejects friend and contemporary Karlstadt from Wittenberg University and from the Reformation. Luther preaches important sermons and condemns dissident, radical reformers.

Back in Constantinople, Suleiman changes Roxelana’s name to Hurrem to conform with the Islamic faith. She is attacked by another member of the harem and almost kills her attacker. Suleiman’s mother intervenes for her son, confronts Hurrem, threatens her with death, but saves the relationship.