Queen Honae
Encyclopedia
Queen Heonae (964 - 1029), also known as Queen Dowager Cheonchu (천추태후, 千秋太后), was the third queen consort
of King Gyeongjong of Goryeo
. She served as regent of Goryeo
from 997 to 1009 during the minority of her son, King Mokjong of Goryeo
. Her life story was the basis for the drama Empress Cheonchu
.
branch of the royal house of the Kingdom of Goryeo
. Her father, Wang Uk (Hangul
: 왕욱, Hanja
: 王旭), was the seventh son of King Taejo of Goryeo
by his fourth wife, Queen Sinjeong (Hangul
: 신정왕후, Hanja
: 神靜王后). She had one older brother, Wang Chi, the future King Seongjong of Goryeo
, and one younger sister who eventually became the mother of King Hyeonjong of Goryeo
.
Although a male-line descendant of King Taejo
, Queen Heonae did not carry the surname of the Goryeo
royal family, Wang (Hangul
: 왕, Hanja
: 王). Instead, she and her younger sister used the surname Hwangbo
(Hangul
: 황보, Hanja
: 皇甫), which was the surname of their paternal grandmother, Queen Sinjeong.
Queen Heonae married King Gyeongjong of Goryeo
, her first cousin. She was the sister of King Seongjong of Goryeo
, who succeeded her spouse as king. When her son, Mokjong of Goryeo
became King in 997, she became Regent. However, she contract a marriage of consent with Kim Chi-yang, and gave birth to a Kim Chi-yang's son. Kim Chi-yang conspired to set his son on the throne.
When Kim Chi-yang burned the Manwoldae
, royal palace, to the ground, threatening to kill the king and take over, King Mokjong called General Gang Jo
to the capital city of Kaesong
. General Gang Jo immediately executed Kim Chi-Yang and his supporters.
Then, the scholar officials, enemies of Gang Jo, spread rumors and lies that the general was planning to take over the government for himself. These rumors reached the Emperor, and he planned to kill Gang Jo. Gang Jo heard of the conspiracy and doubts of the Emperor, and ordered his army to attack and kill all of his enemies, including the emperor. After assassinating Emperor Mokjong, General Gang placed Emperor Hyeonjong of Goryeo
on the throne. Empress Cheonchu was exiled to Hwangju
. In 1029, she return to the royal court and died in her chamber at Sungdeok Palace.
Queen consort
A queen consort is the wife of a reigning king. A queen consort usually shares her husband's rank and holds the feminine equivalent of the king's monarchical titles. Historically, queens consort do not share the king regnant's political and military powers. Most queens in history were queens consort...
of King Gyeongjong of Goryeo
Gyeongjong of Goryeo
Gyeongjong of Goryeo was the fifth ruler of the Goryeo dynasty of Korea. He was the eldest son of Gwangjong, and was confirmed as Crown Prince in the year of his birth....
. She served as regent of Goryeo
Goryeo
The Goryeo Dynasty or Koryŏ was a Korean dynasty established in 918 by Emperor Taejo. Korea gets its name from this kingdom which came to be pronounced Korea. It united the Later Three Kingdoms in 936 and ruled most of the Korean peninsula until it was removed by the Joseon dynasty in 1392...
from 997 to 1009 during the minority of her son, King Mokjong of Goryeo
Mokjong of Goryeo
Mokjong of Goryeo was the seventh ruler of the Goryeo dynasty of Korea.-Reign:Mokjong is known for his reform of the Jeonsigwa , and for a plot by his mother, Queen Honae and Kim Chi-yang to overthrow him...
. Her life story was the basis for the drama Empress Cheonchu
Empress Cheonchu
Empress Cheonchu is the title of a South Korean television historical drama based on the actual historical person.-Synopsis:...
.
Biography
Queen Heonae was born into the HwangjuHwangju
-Geography:Hwangju is bordered to the northwest by Sariwŏn, to the northeast by Songrim and Kangnam, to the southwest by Yŏnt'an, to the south by Pongsan, and to the southeast by Ŭnch'ŏn-History:...
branch of the royal house of the Kingdom of Goryeo
Goryeo
The Goryeo Dynasty or Koryŏ was a Korean dynasty established in 918 by Emperor Taejo. Korea gets its name from this kingdom which came to be pronounced Korea. It united the Later Three Kingdoms in 936 and ruled most of the Korean peninsula until it was removed by the Joseon dynasty in 1392...
. Her father, Wang Uk (Hangul
Hangul
Hangul,Pronounced or ; Korean: 한글 Hangeul/Han'gŭl or 조선글 Chosŏn'gŭl/Joseongeul the Korean alphabet, is the native alphabet of the Korean language. It is a separate script from Hanja, the logographic Chinese characters which are also sometimes used to write Korean...
: 왕욱, Hanja
Hanja
Hanja is the Korean name for the Chinese characters hanzi. More specifically, it refers to those Chinese characters borrowed from Chinese and incorporated into the Korean language with Korean pronunciation...
: 王旭), was the seventh son of King Taejo of Goryeo
Taejo of Goryeo
Taejo of Goryeo was the founder of the Goryeo Dynasty, which ruled Korea from the 10th to the 14th century. Taejo ruled from 918 to 943.-Background:...
by his fourth wife, Queen Sinjeong (Hangul
Hangul
Hangul,Pronounced or ; Korean: 한글 Hangeul/Han'gŭl or 조선글 Chosŏn'gŭl/Joseongeul the Korean alphabet, is the native alphabet of the Korean language. It is a separate script from Hanja, the logographic Chinese characters which are also sometimes used to write Korean...
: 신정왕후, Hanja
Hanja
Hanja is the Korean name for the Chinese characters hanzi. More specifically, it refers to those Chinese characters borrowed from Chinese and incorporated into the Korean language with Korean pronunciation...
: 神靜王后). She had one older brother, Wang Chi, the future King Seongjong of Goryeo
Seongjong of Goryeo
Seongjong of Goryeo was the sixth monarch of the medieval Korean kingdom Goryeo. He was the second son of Daejong, and a grandson of Emperor Taejo. He ascended the throne after Gyeongjong stepped down....
, and one younger sister who eventually became the mother of King Hyeonjong of Goryeo
Hyeonjong of Goryeo
Hyeonjong of Goryeo was the 8th ruler of the Goryeo dynasty of Korea. He was a grandson of Emperor Taejo. He was appointed by the military leader Gang Jo, whom the previous Emperor Mokjong had called upon to destroy a plot by Kim Chi-yang.In 1010, The Khitan attacked again during an internal...
.
Although a male-line descendant of King Taejo
Taejo of Goryeo
Taejo of Goryeo was the founder of the Goryeo Dynasty, which ruled Korea from the 10th to the 14th century. Taejo ruled from 918 to 943.-Background:...
, Queen Heonae did not carry the surname of the Goryeo
Goryeo
The Goryeo Dynasty or Koryŏ was a Korean dynasty established in 918 by Emperor Taejo. Korea gets its name from this kingdom which came to be pronounced Korea. It united the Later Three Kingdoms in 936 and ruled most of the Korean peninsula until it was removed by the Joseon dynasty in 1392...
royal family, Wang (Hangul
Hangul
Hangul,Pronounced or ; Korean: 한글 Hangeul/Han'gŭl or 조선글 Chosŏn'gŭl/Joseongeul the Korean alphabet, is the native alphabet of the Korean language. It is a separate script from Hanja, the logographic Chinese characters which are also sometimes used to write Korean...
: 왕, Hanja
Hanja
Hanja is the Korean name for the Chinese characters hanzi. More specifically, it refers to those Chinese characters borrowed from Chinese and incorporated into the Korean language with Korean pronunciation...
: 王). Instead, she and her younger sister used the surname Hwangbo
Hwangbo (Korean name)
Hwangbo is an uncommon family name in Korea. As of 2000, there were just 9,148 people by this name in South Korea.- List of famous Hwangbos :* Hwangbo Rim , a commander in 14th century...
(Hangul
Hangul
Hangul,Pronounced or ; Korean: 한글 Hangeul/Han'gŭl or 조선글 Chosŏn'gŭl/Joseongeul the Korean alphabet, is the native alphabet of the Korean language. It is a separate script from Hanja, the logographic Chinese characters which are also sometimes used to write Korean...
: 황보, Hanja
Hanja
Hanja is the Korean name for the Chinese characters hanzi. More specifically, it refers to those Chinese characters borrowed from Chinese and incorporated into the Korean language with Korean pronunciation...
: 皇甫), which was the surname of their paternal grandmother, Queen Sinjeong.
Queen Heonae married King Gyeongjong of Goryeo
Gyeongjong of Goryeo
Gyeongjong of Goryeo was the fifth ruler of the Goryeo dynasty of Korea. He was the eldest son of Gwangjong, and was confirmed as Crown Prince in the year of his birth....
, her first cousin. She was the sister of King Seongjong of Goryeo
Seongjong of Goryeo
Seongjong of Goryeo was the sixth monarch of the medieval Korean kingdom Goryeo. He was the second son of Daejong, and a grandson of Emperor Taejo. He ascended the throne after Gyeongjong stepped down....
, who succeeded her spouse as king. When her son, Mokjong of Goryeo
Mokjong of Goryeo
Mokjong of Goryeo was the seventh ruler of the Goryeo dynasty of Korea.-Reign:Mokjong is known for his reform of the Jeonsigwa , and for a plot by his mother, Queen Honae and Kim Chi-yang to overthrow him...
became King in 997, she became Regent. However, she contract a marriage of consent with Kim Chi-yang, and gave birth to a Kim Chi-yang's son. Kim Chi-yang conspired to set his son on the throne.
When Kim Chi-yang burned the Manwoldae
Manwoldae
Manwŏldae Palace was the official royal palace of the Goryeo Dynasty. Located in the ancient capital city of Kaesŏng, the palace was completely destroyed during the Red Turbans invasions of Korea during the 14th century.-History:...
, royal palace, to the ground, threatening to kill the king and take over, King Mokjong called General Gang Jo
Gang Jo
Gang Jo was a Goryeo general who served under Emperor Mokjong of Goryeo and Emperor Hyeonjong of Goryeo. General Gang Jo was a general in charge of the Northern border army.-Rise to power:...
to the capital city of Kaesong
Kaesong
Kaesŏng is a city in North Hwanghae Province, southern North Korea , a former Directly Governed City, and the capital of Korea during the Koryo Dynasty. The city is near Kaesŏng Industrial Region and it contains the remains of the Manwoldae palace. It was formally named Songdo while it was the...
. General Gang Jo immediately executed Kim Chi-Yang and his supporters.
Then, the scholar officials, enemies of Gang Jo, spread rumors and lies that the general was planning to take over the government for himself. These rumors reached the Emperor, and he planned to kill Gang Jo. Gang Jo heard of the conspiracy and doubts of the Emperor, and ordered his army to attack and kill all of his enemies, including the emperor. After assassinating Emperor Mokjong, General Gang placed Emperor Hyeonjong of Goryeo
Hyeonjong of Goryeo
Hyeonjong of Goryeo was the 8th ruler of the Goryeo dynasty of Korea. He was a grandson of Emperor Taejo. He was appointed by the military leader Gang Jo, whom the previous Emperor Mokjong had called upon to destroy a plot by Kim Chi-yang.In 1010, The Khitan attacked again during an internal...
on the throne. Empress Cheonchu was exiled to Hwangju
Hwangju
-Geography:Hwangju is bordered to the northwest by Sariwŏn, to the northeast by Songrim and Kangnam, to the southwest by Yŏnt'an, to the south by Pongsan, and to the southeast by Ŭnch'ŏn-History:...
. In 1029, she return to the royal court and died in her chamber at Sungdeok Palace.
Family
- Paternal grandfather
- King Taejo of GoryeoTaejo of GoryeoTaejo of Goryeo was the founder of the Goryeo Dynasty, which ruled Korea from the 10th to the 14th century. Taejo ruled from 918 to 943.-Background:...
- King Taejo of Goryeo
- Paternal grandmother
- Queen Sinjeong (HangulHangulHangul,Pronounced or ; Korean: 한글 Hangeul/Han'gŭl or 조선글 Chosŏn'gŭl/Joseongeul the Korean alphabet, is the native alphabet of the Korean language. It is a separate script from Hanja, the logographic Chinese characters which are also sometimes used to write Korean...
: 신정왕후, HanjaHanjaHanja is the Korean name for the Chinese characters hanzi. More specifically, it refers to those Chinese characters borrowed from Chinese and incorporated into the Korean language with Korean pronunciation...
: 神靜王后) (c. 900 - 983), of the Hwangju Hwangbo clan (HangulHangulHangul,Pronounced or ; Korean: 한글 Hangeul/Han'gŭl or 조선글 Chosŏn'gŭl/Joseongeul the Korean alphabet, is the native alphabet of the Korean language. It is a separate script from Hanja, the logographic Chinese characters which are also sometimes used to write Korean...
: 황주군 황보씨, HanjaHanjaHanja is the Korean name for the Chinese characters hanzi. More specifically, it refers to those Chinese characters borrowed from Chinese and incorporated into the Korean language with Korean pronunciation...
: 黃州郡 皇甫氏), daughter of Hwangbo Jegong (HangulHangulHangul,Pronounced or ; Korean: 한글 Hangeul/Han'gŭl or 조선글 Chosŏn'gŭl/Joseongeul the Korean alphabet, is the native alphabet of the Korean language. It is a separate script from Hanja, the logographic Chinese characters which are also sometimes used to write Korean...
: 황보제공, HanjaHanjaHanja is the Korean name for the Chinese characters hanzi. More specifically, it refers to those Chinese characters borrowed from Chinese and incorporated into the Korean language with Korean pronunciation...
: 皇甫悌恭), King Taejo'sTaejo of GoryeoTaejo of Goryeo was the founder of the Goryeo Dynasty, which ruled Korea from the 10th to the 14th century. Taejo ruled from 918 to 943.-Background:...
fourth wife
- Queen Sinjeong (Hangul
- Maternal grandfather
- King Taejo of GoryeoTaejo of GoryeoTaejo of Goryeo was the founder of the Goryeo Dynasty, which ruled Korea from the 10th to the 14th century. Taejo ruled from 918 to 943.-Background:...
- King Taejo of Goryeo
- Maternal grandmother
- Queen Jeongdeok (HangulHangulHangul,Pronounced or ; Korean: 한글 Hangeul/Han'gŭl or 조선글 Chosŏn'gŭl/Joseongeul the Korean alphabet, is the native alphabet of the Korean language. It is a separate script from Hanja, the logographic Chinese characters which are also sometimes used to write Korean...
: 정덕왕후, HanjaHanjaHanja is the Korean name for the Chinese characters hanzi. More specifically, it refers to those Chinese characters borrowed from Chinese and incorporated into the Korean language with Korean pronunciation...
: 貞德王后), of the JeongjuKaepungKaep'ung is a county in North Hwanghae province, North Korea. Formerly part of the Kaesong urban area, the county was merged with North Hwanghae when Kaesong was demoted in 2003...
Yu clan (HangulHangulHangul,Pronounced or ; Korean: 한글 Hangeul/Han'gŭl or 조선글 Chosŏn'gŭl/Joseongeul the Korean alphabet, is the native alphabet of the Korean language. It is a separate script from Hanja, the logographic Chinese characters which are also sometimes used to write Korean...
: 정주유씨, HanjaHanjaHanja is the Korean name for the Chinese characters hanzi. More specifically, it refers to those Chinese characters borrowed from Chinese and incorporated into the Korean language with Korean pronunciation...
: 貞州柳氏), daughter of Yu Deokyeong (HangulHangulHangul,Pronounced or ; Korean: 한글 Hangeul/Han'gŭl or 조선글 Chosŏn'gŭl/Joseongeul the Korean alphabet, is the native alphabet of the Korean language. It is a separate script from Hanja, the logographic Chinese characters which are also sometimes used to write Korean...
: 유덕영, HanjaHanjaHanja is the Korean name for the Chinese characters hanzi. More specifically, it refers to those Chinese characters borrowed from Chinese and incorporated into the Korean language with Korean pronunciation...
: 柳德英), King Taejo'sTaejo of GoryeoTaejo of Goryeo was the founder of the Goryeo Dynasty, which ruled Korea from the 10th to the 14th century. Taejo ruled from 918 to 943.-Background:...
fifth wife
- Queen Jeongdeok (Hangul
- Father
- Wang Uk (HangulHangulHangul,Pronounced or ; Korean: 한글 Hangeul/Han'gŭl or 조선글 Chosŏn'gŭl/Joseongeul the Korean alphabet, is the native alphabet of the Korean language. It is a separate script from Hanja, the logographic Chinese characters which are also sometimes used to write Korean...
: 왕욱, HanjaHanjaHanja is the Korean name for the Chinese characters hanzi. More specifically, it refers to those Chinese characters borrowed from Chinese and incorporated into the Korean language with Korean pronunciation...
: 王旭) (911 - 969), Prince of Hwangju (HangulHangulHangul,Pronounced or ; Korean: 한글 Hangeul/Han'gŭl or 조선글 Chosŏn'gŭl/Joseongeul the Korean alphabet, is the native alphabet of the Korean language. It is a separate script from Hanja, the logographic Chinese characters which are also sometimes used to write Korean...
: 황주원군, HanjaHanjaHanja is the Korean name for the Chinese characters hanzi. More specifically, it refers to those Chinese characters borrowed from Chinese and incorporated into the Korean language with Korean pronunciation...
: 黃州院君), posthumously honored as Emperor Daezong (HangulHangulHangul,Pronounced or ; Korean: 한글 Hangeul/Han'gŭl or 조선글 Chosŏn'gŭl/Joseongeul the Korean alphabet, is the native alphabet of the Korean language. It is a separate script from Hanja, the logographic Chinese characters which are also sometimes used to write Korean...
: 대종, HanjaHanjaHanja is the Korean name for the Chinese characters hanzi. More specifically, it refers to those Chinese characters borrowed from Chinese and incorporated into the Korean language with Korean pronunciation...
: 戴宗)
- Wang Uk (Hangul
- Mother
- Queen Seonui (HangulHangulHangul,Pronounced or ; Korean: 한글 Hangeul/Han'gŭl or 조선글 Chosŏn'gŭl/Joseongeul the Korean alphabet, is the native alphabet of the Korean language. It is a separate script from Hanja, the logographic Chinese characters which are also sometimes used to write Korean...
: 선의왕후, HanjaHanjaHanja is the Korean name for the Chinese characters hanzi. More specifically, it refers to those Chinese characters borrowed from Chinese and incorporated into the Korean language with Korean pronunciation...
: 宣義王后), carried her mother's surname Yu (HangulHangulHangul,Pronounced or ; Korean: 한글 Hangeul/Han'gŭl or 조선글 Chosŏn'gŭl/Joseongeul the Korean alphabet, is the native alphabet of the Korean language. It is a separate script from Hanja, the logographic Chinese characters which are also sometimes used to write Korean...
: 유, HanjaHanjaHanja is the Korean name for the Chinese characters hanzi. More specifically, it refers to those Chinese characters borrowed from Chinese and incorporated into the Korean language with Korean pronunciation...
: 柳)
- Queen Seonui (Hangul
- Husbands
- King Gyeongjong of GoryeoGyeongjong of GoryeoGyeongjong of Goryeo was the fifth ruler of the Goryeo dynasty of Korea. He was the eldest son of Gwangjong, and was confirmed as Crown Prince in the year of his birth....
- Kim Chi-yang (HangulHangulHangul,Pronounced or ; Korean: 한글 Hangeul/Han'gŭl or 조선글 Chosŏn'gŭl/Joseongeul the Korean alphabet, is the native alphabet of the Korean language. It is a separate script from Hanja, the logographic Chinese characters which are also sometimes used to write Korean...
: 김치양, HanjaHanjaHanja is the Korean name for the Chinese characters hanzi. More specifically, it refers to those Chinese characters borrowed from Chinese and incorporated into the Korean language with Korean pronunciation...
: 金致陽)
- King Gyeongjong of Goryeo
- Sons
- King Mokjong of GoryeoMokjong of GoryeoMokjong of Goryeo was the seventh ruler of the Goryeo dynasty of Korea.-Reign:Mokjong is known for his reform of the Jeonsigwa , and for a plot by his mother, Queen Honae and Kim Chi-yang to overthrow him...
, son of King GyeongjongGyeongjong of JoseonGyeongjong was the 20th king of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea. He was the son of Sukjong by Jang Hui-bin.In 1690, Gyeongjong's designation as heir to the throne precipitated a struggle between the Noron and the Soron faction, which supported Gyeongjong of Joseon...
(980 - 1009) - Unnamed son of Kim Chi-yang (1003 - 1009)
- King Mokjong of Goryeo
External links
- http://www.guide2womenleaders.com/korea_heads.htm