Emperor Renzong of Song
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| Emperor Renzong of Song | |
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| Birth and death: | May 30, 1010–April 30, 1063 |
| Family name: | Zhào (趙) |
| Given name: | Shouyi (受益), later Zhen¹ (禎) |
| Dates of reign: | 24 March 1022–30 April 1063 |
| Temple name: | Rénzōng (仁宗) |
| Posthumous name: |
Never used short |
| Posthumous name: |
Emperor Titian Fadao Jigong Quande Shenwen Shengwu Ruizhe Mingxiao² 體天法道極功全德神文聖武睿哲 明孝皇帝 |
| General note: Dates given here are in the Julian calendar. They are not in the proleptic Gregorian calendar. ——— 1. His name was changed into Zhen in 1018 when he was officially named crown prince. This name became his taboo name when he ascended the throne in 1022. 2. This is the final version of the posthumous name given in 1083. |
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Emperor Renzong (May 30, 1010 – April 30, 1063) was the fourth emperor of the Song Dynasty of China. His personal name was Zhao Zhen (趙禎). He reigned from 1022 to 1063. Renzong was the son of Emperor Zhenzong. Given his long reign of over 40 years, Renzong is not widely known. His reign marked the high point of Song influences and powers but was also the beginning of its slow disintegration that would persist over the next century and a half.
One possible reason behind its weakness is its interpretation of its own foreign policy. The official policy of the Song Dynasty at the time was one of pacifism and this caused the weakening of the military. Western Xia took advantage of this deterioration and waged small scale wars against Song China near the borders.
When Renzong came into power, he issued decrees to strengthen the military and paid massive bribes to the Liao government, an adversary of Western Xia, in the hope that this would ensure the safety of Song China.
However these policies involved a heavy price. Taxes were increased severely and the peasants lived in a state of perpetual poverty. This eventually caused organized rebellions to take place throughout the country and the breakdown of the government.
Renzong died in 1063 without an heir. His temple name means "Benevolent Ancestor".
| Preceded by Emperor Zhenzong |
Emperor of the Song Dynasty 1022-1063 |
Succeeded by Emperor Yingzong |
