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Queen Soheon
소헌왕후
Queen consort of Joseon
Tenure18 September 1418 – 28 April 1446
PredecessorQueen Wongyeong
SuccessorQueen Jeongsun
Crown Princess consort of Joseon
Tenure20 July 1418 – 18 September 1418
Predecessor
Successor
Born20 October 1395
Yangju, Gyeonggi Province, Kingdom of Joseon
Died28 April 1446 (aged 50)
Grand Prince Suyang's residence, Hanseong, Kingdom of Joseon
Burial
Yeongneung tomb, Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty, west of the city of Yeoju
37°18′29″N 127°36′11″E / 37.30806°N 127.60306°E / 37.30806; 127.60306
Spouse
​
​
(m. 1408⁠–⁠1446)​
IssuePrincess Jeongso
Yi Hyang, King Munjong
Princess Jeongui
Yi Yu, King Sejo
Yi Yong, Grand Prince Anpyeong
Yi Gu, Grand Prince Imyeong
Yi Yeo, Grand Prince Gwangpyeong
Yi Yu, Grand Prince Geumseong
Yi Im, Grand Prince Pyeongwon
Yi Yeom, Grand Prince Yeongeung
Posthumous name
선인제성소헌왕후 宣仁齊聖昭憲王后
HouseCheongsong Sim
FatherSim On
MotherLady Samhanguk of the Sunheung Ahn clan
Seal

Queen Soheon (소헌왕후 심씨; 20 October 1395 – 28 April 1446[1]), of the Cheongsong Sim clan, was a posthumous name bestowed to the wife and queen consort of Yi Do, King Sejong and the mother of Yi Hyang, King Munjong and Yi Yu, King Sejo. She was queen consort of Joseon and honoured as Queen Gong (공비) from 1418 until her death in 1446.

Biography

Early life

Lady Sim was born as the first daughter and eldest child of nine children to Lord Sim On and Lady Ahn of the Sunheung Ahn clan. Her paternal uncle, Sim Jong, was King Taejo's son-in-law (titled Prince Consort Cheongwon) through his marriage to the king's daughter, Princess Gyeongseon.

Marriage

In 1408 at the age of 13, she was arranged to marry King Taejong's son, Prince Chungyeong, to which her title became Princess Gyeongsuk (경숙옹주, 敬淑翁主). It's said that she was chosen for the marriage due to the fact that King Taejong's older sister, Princess Gyeongseon, was her paternal aunt; thus having royal family connections.

When her husband became grand prince, her title changed from ongju (옹주) to gongju (공주).

Her parents were given royal titles: her mother was given "Internal Princess Consort Samhanguk of the Sunheung Ahn clan" (삼한국대부인 순흥 안씨), and her father was given "Internal Prince Cheongcheon" (청천부원군).

During Taejong's 17th year of reign in 1417, Princess Gyeongsuk was also given the title of Internal Princess Consort Samhanguk (삼한국대부인, 三韓國大夫人).

On 6 July 1418, during the 18th year of Taejong's reign, Princess Gyeongsuk became Crown Princess Gyeong (경빈, 敬嬪) when Grand Prince Chungyeong (later King Sejong) became the crown prince successor to the throne, and when her husband became king on 9 September 1418, her title changed to Queen Gong (공비, 恭妃; Gongbi meaning Courteous Consort).[2]

It's said that Queen Gong had a gentle and kind appearance but advocated strict adherence to laws and code of conduct.

Royal political conflicts

Just like her predecessor and mother-in-law, Queen Dowager Hudeok, Queen Gong experienced the loss of her family as Taejong felt threatened due to the influence of royal in-laws. She had lost her father, Sim On, in 1419 and two uncles in 1418 during her father-in-law's regency with her husband. Her mother and remaining relatives were also demoted to lower slave class.[3]

But in 1426, rather than having his in-laws serve as slaves, Sejong expelled the Queen’s mother and relatives from Cheonan, and restored the posts of her brothers and male relatives.

Court officials brought up the topic of demoting or stripping Queen Gong's position as Queen, but King Sejong fought back. He stated that the Queen was to remain in her position due to giving birth to two princes prior to the conflict.

Rather than holding resentment towards to her husband, Queen Gong was understanding and supportive of her husband through the ordeal.

As a Queen with duties, it is said that the inner court was at its most peaceful during her care. King Sejong also praised her for being a good leader for the women of the palace.

Later life

On 14 April 1446, Queen Gong died at the age of 50 during her husband's 28th year of reign. King Sejong outlived her by 2 years and eventually died at the age of 52.

Queen Gong bore 10 children which included King Munjong and King Sejo.

Legacy

Queen Soheon was buried with her husband, King Sejong in a burial mound, surrounded by statues of scholars, military officials, and horses. The site has a memorial shrine and pond. Their tomb, Yeongneung, is within the Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty, west of the city of Yeoju.

Prince Suyang commissioned the creation of the Seokbosangjeol after the death of his mother, Queen Soheon, intending it to ease her passage to the next life. It was, however, also made available to the general population of Korea, to encourage the propagation of the Buddhist faith. It was translated from Chinese to Korea's native hangul characters, and as such represents the oldest form of indigenous Korean written text.[4][5] The book was written at his father's request, and included more than 580 Buddhist lyrics by Sejong in Wolincheongangligok.[6] It was first published in 24 volumes in 1447 C.E.[7] An original edition is held at the National Library of Korea in Seoul, where it is designated a Tangible Cultural Treasure.[8]

Illustration of the grounds of the Yongmunsa Temple of the Jogye Order in Yangpyeong, South Korea

Trivia

Through her younger brothers, Queen Soheon eventually became the 3rd great-grandaunt to Queen Insun; the wife of King Myeongjong, and Sim Ui-gyeom; the younger brother of Queen Insun. The Queen also became the 9th great-grandaunt to Queen Danui; the wife of King Gyeongjong.

Family

Parent

Siblings

Husband

Issue

In popular culture

References

  1. ^ In Lunar Calendar, the Queen was born on 28 September 1395 and died on 24 March 1446
  2. ^ muchadoboutlove (2020-11-09). "Royal Titles of Joseon Consorts". the talking cupboard. Retrieved 2021-07-05.
  3. ^ "Royal Ladies of Joseon Dynasty". the talking cupboard. 2015-04-02. Retrieved 2021-07-05.
  4. ^ Sejo, King of Korea (1417-1468). "Life History and Sermon of Buddha Abstracted from Buddhist Scriptures". World Digital Library. Retrieved 23 May 2013.((cite web)): CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  5. ^ "Seokbosangjeol title". Record Depository. Digital Hangeul Museum. Retrieved 23 May 2013.
  6. ^ Kim, Doosik. The History of Hnageul Typeface. Spinning Wheel of Time. p. 106. ISBN 978-89-6511-077-4.
  7. ^ Kim, Mu-bong (March 2013). "A Study for 20th Volume of 『Seokbosangjeol(釋譜詳節)』 —Focusing on Bibliography and Language". Journal of Buddhist Studies (34). Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 23 May 2013.
  8. ^ "The Soul of Korea: National Library of Korea". National Library of Korea. Retrieved 23 May 2013.[permanent dead link]
  9. ^ Their grandson, Sim Seon (심선, 沈璿) (? - 20 September 1467), became the father-in-law to Han Hwak's grandson
  10. ^ The eldest son of Princess Consort Jeongseon of the Cheongju Han clan (정선군부인 청주 한씨, 旌善郡夫人 淸州韓氏) (12 April 1426 - 27 April 1480) and Yi Jeung, Prince Gyeyang (계양군 이증, 桂陽君 李璔) (1427 - 16 August 1467)
  11. ^ The paternal grandson of King Sejong and Royal Consort Shin of the Cheongju Kim clan (1406 - 1464), and the maternal grandson of Han Hwak and Internal Princess Consort Namyang of the Namyang Hong clan (남양부부인 홍씨, 南陽府夫人 洪氏) (1403 - 1450). Nephew to Queen Insu and cousin to Grand Prince Wolsan, Princess Myeongsuk, and King Seongjong
  12. ^ The only daughter of King Sejong and Royal Consort Suk-won of the Yi clan
  13. ^ King Taejo's and Queen Shinui's second and youngest daughter; King Jeongjong's and King Taejong's younger sister
  14. ^ Lady Wang is the daughter of Wang Woo, Princr Jeongyang (정양군 왕우, 定陽君 王瑀) (the 5th great-grandson of King Sinjong of Goryeo). Her older sister, Internal Princess Consort Samhanguk of the Kaeseong Wang clan (삼한국대부인 개성 왕씨, 三韓國大夫人 開城 王氏) (? - 1449), married King Taejo's 7th son, Yi Bang-ban, Grand Prince Muan (무안대군 방번).
  15. ^ Her older sister, Lady Wang of the Kaeseong Wang clan (개성 왕씨, 開城 王氏; 1378 - 1419), married King Taejo's eldest son, Yi Bang-woo, Grand Prince Jinan (이방우 진안대군)
  16. ^ Her father was the older brother of King Gongyang
  17. ^ She became a concubine for King Seongjong and had 4 children (2 daughters, 2 sons)
  18. ^ Was also given the alternative title of Internal Princess Consort Sunheung of the Sunheung Ahn clan (순흥부부인 안씨)
  19. ^ Youngest daughter of Nam Ji (남지, 南智) (? - 1453) and Lady Lee of the Jeonui Lee clan. She is also the younger sister of Grand Prince Imyeong’s first wife, Princess Consort Nam of the Uiryeong Nam clan.
  20. ^ One of her brothers married Lady No of the Gyoha No clan, a daughter of Queen Soheon’s second younger sister and Queen Wongyeong’s nephew
  21. ^ One of his sisters became the wife of Gwon Ram
  22. ^ Not to be confused with another Park Mi (박미, 朴瀰) of the Bannam Park clan (1592 - 1645); Princess Jeongan's husband and son-in-law of King Seonjo
  23. ^ His younger sister, Princess Consort Park of the Miryang Park clan (군부인 밀양 박씨, 郡夫人 密陽朴氏), married Yi Yeong, Prince Hwaui (화의군 영) (5 September 1425 - 1489), and had 3 sons. Prince Hwaui was the only son of Royal Noble Consort Yeong of the Jinju Kang clan (영빈 강씨) and King Sejong
  24. ^ She is the granddaughter of Kim Jong-seo
  25. ^ No Mul-jae is a nephew of Queen Wongyeong
  26. ^ He is the great-grandson of Royal Consort Sun-bi's father
  27. ^ Second son of Nam Ji (남지, 南智) (? - 1453) and Lady Lee of the Jeonui Lee clan. Also one of the brothers of Grand Anpyeong’s wife and Grand Prince Imyeong’s first wife.
  28. ^ Through biological and marriage relation, Nam Yun is the cousin-in-law and brother-in-law of Grand Prince Imyeong, and Yi Woo-jik, Prince Uichun.
  29. ^ Lady Im is the second daughter of Im Sa-hong, a first cousin once removed of Nam Gon, and the sister-in-law to Princess Hyeonsuk (daughter of King Yejong and Queen Ansun) and Princess Hwisuk (daughter of King Seongjong and Royal Noble Consort Myeong)
  30. ^ They became the grandparents to Park Won-jong and his 7 sisters
  31. ^ They became the great-grandparents to the future Queen Janggyeong and Yun Im
  32. ^ The maternal grandfather of Queen Janggyeong and Yun Im
  33. ^ The mother of Yun Im and Queen Janggyeong
  34. ^ Became the great-great-great-grandparents of Queen Insun
  35. ^ The great-great-grandfather of Queen Insun
  36. ^ Great-grandfather of Queen Insun
  37. ^ Grandfather of Queen Insun
  38. ^ She is a cousin of Queen Shin's father
  39. ^ Queen Soheon is also a niece-in-law to King Taejong and Queen Wongyeong due to her aunt-in-law, Princess Gyeongseon
  40. ^ Died at the age of 12-13 from a disease
  41. ^ Her original name was Princess Jeonghye (貞惠), but the king changed her name to Jeongso (貞昭) because many thought and saw her as Princess Jeonghye, the daughter of Taejong.
  42. ^ They had 6 children (4 sons and 2 daughters)
  43. ^ Their eldest daughter married Jeong Gwang-jo (정광조, 鄭光祖), a son of Jeong In-ji and his first wife, Lady Jo of the Hanyang Jo clan (한양 조씨)
  44. ^ Their second daughter, Lady Ahn, married Han Chi-rye (한치례, 韓致禮) (1441 - 1499); the third son of Han Hwak and second younger brother of Queen Insu
  45. ^ Their grandson, Han Ik (한익, 韓翊) (1460 - 1488), became the maternal uncle to Queen Janggyeong upon his marriage to the Queen's maternal aunt, Lady Park of the Suncheon Park clan (the granddaughter of Queen Soheon’s younger sister with Park Geo-seo (박거소, 朴去疎))
  46. ^ Their great-grandson, Han Suk-chang (한숙창, 韓叔昌) (1478 - 1537), became the maternal cousin of Queen Janggyeong and the maternal step-grandfather of Heo Nanseolheon
  47. ^ Became the adoptive son of Yi Jong, Grand Prince (성녕대군 이종, 誠寧大君 李褈) (3 August 1405 - 11 March 1418) (a son of King Taejong and Queen Wongyeong), and his wife, Princess Consort Samhanguk of the Changnyeong Seong clan (삼한국대부인 창녕 성씨, 三韓國大夫人 昌寧成氏)
  48. ^ Had two sons and one daughter; one of her sons eventually became the Great Grandnephew-in-law of Queen Soheon’s eldest youngest sister.
  49. ^ Lady Jeong was the granddaughter of Princess Jeongsin; who was the second daughter of King Gongyang and Royal Consort Sun
  50. ^ She is a fourth cousin of Princess Consort Yeongga of the Pyeongsan Shin clan (영가부부인 신씨)
  51. ^ Had 7 children (5 sons, 2 daughters); their eldest daughter, Princess Jungmo, married Queen Shin's father and Queen Dangyeong's grandfather. Their second daughter, Princess Cheongha's adoptive son, Ahn Hwan (안환, 安煥), married a paternal aunt of Queen Shin
  52. ^ Had 8 children (4 sons, 4 daughters)
  53. ^ One of her son's married the older sister of Royal Consort Gwi-in of the Yeongwol Eo clan (a concubine of King Seongjong)
  54. ^ Her aunt, Lady Hong of the Namyang Hong clan (남양 홍씨) (1403 - 1450), became the wife of Han Hwak, the mother of Princess Consort Jeonseong and Queen Sohye, and the grandmother of Grand Prince Wolsan and King Seongjong
  55. ^ Her younger brother eventually married Princess Gyeonghye (King Munjong's and Queen Hyeondeok's eldest daughter)
  56. ^ She and her husband eventually became the maternal great-great-grandparents of Queen Inheon and the 3rd great-grandparents of King Injo
  57. ^ She is the paternal aunt of Queen Jeongsun

External links

Queen Soheon Cheongseong Sim clan Royal titles Preceded byCrown Princess Jeong (Wongyeong)of the Yeoheung Min clan Crown Princess consort of Joseon 1418 Succeeded byCrown Princess Hwiof the Andong Kim clan Preceded byQueen Jeong (Wongyeong)of the Yeoheung Min clan Queen consort of Joseon 1418 – 19 April 1446 Succeeded byQueen Jeongsunof the Yeosan Song clan
Royal consorts of Joseon and Korea
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