Crown Prince Sado

Crown Prince Sado
Hangul 장조
Hanja 莊祖
Revised Romanization Jangjo
McCune–Reischauer Changjo
Birth name
Hangul 사도
Hanja 思悼
Revised Romanization Sado
McCune–Reischauer Sado

Crown Prince Sado (1735–1762) was born as the second son of the Korean king Yeongjo of Joseon. Because his older brother, Prince Hyojang, had died young, in 1728, Prince Sado was born the royal heir. However, it had been reported to his father that he was mentally ill, wantonly killed people, and was very erratic. This was a disappointment to his father, and with the consent of Lady Yi, Yeongjo finally ordered him to be sealed alive in a large rice chest, where he died within eight days. His son Yi San became King Jeongjo in 1776, after King Yeongjo's death.

In the 19th century there were rumors that Prince Sado had not been mentally ill, but had been framed; however, these rumors are contradicted by the memoirs[1] (한중록) of Prince Sado's wife, Queen Heongyeong (also known as Lady Hyegyeong). It is still disputable up to now if his death was a retribution for his actual misconduct or he was just victimized by the conspiracy of his political opponents.

Crown Prince Sado was buried on Mr Baebongsan in Yangju. In 1789, his body was moved by his son King Jeongjo to its current location, then called Hyeollyungwon near Suwon, 30 kilometres south of Seoul. During 1794-1796, Hwaseong Fortress was built and dedicated to honor this tomb.[2] In 1816, Lady Hyegyeong died and was buried with her husband. In 1899, Prince Sado and Lady Hyegyeong were posthumously elevated in status and given the titles Emperor Yangjo and Empress Heonyeong. Their tomb was upgraded accordingly and renamed Yungneung.[3]

Contents

Family

  1. Queen Heongyeong of the Poongsan Hong clan (헌경왕후 홍씨, 1735–1815)[6]
  2. Royal Noble Consort Suk of the Im clan (숙빈 임씨)
  3. Royal Noble Consort Gyeong of the Park clan (경빈 박씨)
  1. Prince Successor Uiso (의소세자, 1750–1752), 1st Son of Queen Heongyeong of the Hong clan.
  2. Royal Prince Successor Descendant (왕세손, 1752–1800), 2nd Son of Queen Heongyeong of the Hong clan.
  3. Prince Euneon (은언군, 1754–1801), 1st Son of Royal Noble Consort Suk of the Im clan.
  4. Prince Eunshin (은신군, 1755–1771), 2nd Son of Royal Noble Consort Suk of the Im clan.
  5. Prince Eunjeon (은전군, 1759–1778), Only Son of Royal Noble Consort Gyeong of the Park clan.
  6. Princess Cheongyeon (청연공주), 1st Daughter of Queen Heongyeong of the Hong clan.
  7. Princess Cheongseon (청선공주, 1756–1802), 2nd Daughter of Queen Heongyeong of the Hong clan.
  8. Princess Cheonggeun (청근옹주, 1758–1792), Only Daughter of Royal Noble Consort Gyeong of the Park clan.

His full posthumous name

His imperial posthumous name

Ancestry

References

  1. ^ Lady Hyegyeong wrote an autobiography The Memoirs of Lady Hyegyeong (한중록, 閑中錄), detailing her life as the ill-fated Crown Princess of Korea.
  2. ^ "Wikipedia:Hwaseong Fortress". http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hwaseong_Fortress. Retrieved 28 July 2011. 
  3. ^ "Wikipedia:Yungneung and Geolleung". http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yungneung_and_Geolleung. Retrieved 28 July 2011. 
  4. ^ Daughter of Yi Yoo Beon (이유번) and Madame Gim
  5. ^ Also known as Lady Seonhui
  6. ^ Daughter of Hong Bong-han (홍봉한) (great-great-grandson of Princess JeongMyoung (1603-1685) and Lady Yi of the Hansun Yi clan; also called "Lady Hyegyeong" (혜경궁), the only legitimate daughter of King Seonjo)

External links