About this episode
Get early episodes & bonus perks on Patreon: https://patreon.com/DrowsyHistorian You were born a prince — but that’s where the good news ends. In this slow-burning descent through silk-draped paranoia, we explore the terrifyingly elegant prison that was the Ottoman imperial Cage (Kafes). From your birth in silence to your death in ceremonial isolation, every step of your life is gilded, guarded, and watched — not for protection, but for control. You’re not a boy. You’re a threat. You’re not raised to rule. You’re trained to wait… indefinitely. Tonight’s immersive historical story follows the tragic cycle of confinement, succession, and psychological decay behind palace walls — where every concubine is a spy, every gift is a warning, and your only inheritance is fear. So tuck yourself in, breathe deeply, and prepare for a bedtime story steeped in velvet, suspicion, and imperial dread. 🛏️ Drowsy Historian’s Favorite Sleep Tools Looking to upgrade your nighttime routine? These are a few things I personally use or recommend: • Sleep Earbuds for Enhanced Immersion → https://amzn.to/4pVFoJy • Blanket Soft Enough to Make the Plague Feel Tolerable → https://amzn.to/3GSOq8f • Weighted Blanket for Pretending You’re a Mummified Pharaoh → https://amzn.to/4kVJCgE • Sleep Mask Headphones For Total Historical Escape → https://amzn.to/4nWsNVn • Book Light for Reading About Plagues at 2AM → https://amzn.to/4eSg0iu • White Noise Machine for Blocking Out the 21st Century → https://amzn.to/3GJ9jTw These are affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them—at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the show while staying cozy.