The harem had its own internal organization and order of formulating policies. Beneath the "Valide Sultan" in the hierarchy was the "Haseki Sultan", chief consort of the sultan, who had the chance of becoming the next Valide Sultan when her son ascended to the throne. This position existed around the 16th and 17th centuries. The sultan also had four other official consorts, who were each called "Kadın". Next in rank below the sultan's wives were his eight favourite concubines ("ikbâl"s or "hâs odalık"s), and then the other concubines whom the sultan favoured and who were termed "gözde". Next in rank were the concubines of other court officials. Pupils ("acemî") and novices ("câriye" or "şâhgird") were younger women who were either waiting to be married off to someone or who had not yet graduated out of the Harem School.