Jeongjong of Joseon
Encyclopedia
King Jeongjong of Joseon (1357–1419), born Yi Bang-gwa, whose changed name is Yi Gyeong, was the second king of Joseon
(or Chosun) Dynasty (1399–1400). He was the second son of the founder and first king of the dynasty, King Taejo of Joseon.
Born in 1357 as Yi Bang-Gwa, he was a prudent, generous, brave, and able military officer. During the latter days of the declining Goryeo Dynasty, Jeongjong followed his father, Yi Seonggye, to various battlefronts and fought at his side. As his father became king in 1392, he became prince.
King Taejo had two wives—the first one, who gave birth to six of the king's sons including Jeongjong, died before King Taejo was crowned. Taejo had second wife, who had 2 sons from him. The king favored his youngest son, whose mother was Taejo's second wife. Prime Minister Jeong Dojeon also backed him as the successor to the throne, causing much disappointment from other princes. In 1398, King Taejo's fifth son, Yi Bangwon, who later would be King Taejong of Joseon, led a coup along with many military officers and killed his two brothers, Prime Minister Jeong, and many of his faction. Yi Bangwon first tried to show that he was not intended to take the throne, so he gave a push to his older brother Jeongjong (who was also the oldest then), to be a crown prince. King Taejo was upset and abdicated in disgust, and Jeongjong became king in the following year, 1399. The same year he moved the capital back to Kaegyeong, the old Goryeo capital.
In 1400, a conflict broke out between Yi Bangwon and his older brother, Yi Bang-gan. Yi Bangwon's force attacked and defeated Bang-gan's army, and Bang-gan was sent into exile along with his family. General Bak Bo, who persuaded Bang-gan to fight against Bangwon, was executed. King Jeongjong, knowing the acting king of the kingdom was his younger brother Bangwon, appointed him as a crown prince, and abdicated a few days later.
He was an able, wise administrator even though his short reign was marked by bloodshed within the royal family. He banned all kinds of private troops on the advice of Crown Prince Bangwon. He died in 1419, and was buried near Kaeseong.
Joseon Dynasty
Joseon , was a Korean state founded by Taejo Yi Seong-gye that lasted for approximately five centuries. It was founded in the aftermath of the overthrow of the Goryeo at what is today the city of Kaesong. Early on, Korea was retitled and the capital was relocated to modern-day Seoul...
(or Chosun) Dynasty (1399–1400). He was the second son of the founder and first king of the dynasty, King Taejo of Joseon.
Born in 1357 as Yi Bang-Gwa, he was a prudent, generous, brave, and able military officer. During the latter days of the declining Goryeo Dynasty, Jeongjong followed his father, Yi Seonggye, to various battlefronts and fought at his side. As his father became king in 1392, he became prince.
King Taejo had two wives—the first one, who gave birth to six of the king's sons including Jeongjong, died before King Taejo was crowned. Taejo had second wife, who had 2 sons from him. The king favored his youngest son, whose mother was Taejo's second wife. Prime Minister Jeong Dojeon also backed him as the successor to the throne, causing much disappointment from other princes. In 1398, King Taejo's fifth son, Yi Bangwon, who later would be King Taejong of Joseon, led a coup along with many military officers and killed his two brothers, Prime Minister Jeong, and many of his faction. Yi Bangwon first tried to show that he was not intended to take the throne, so he gave a push to his older brother Jeongjong (who was also the oldest then), to be a crown prince. King Taejo was upset and abdicated in disgust, and Jeongjong became king in the following year, 1399. The same year he moved the capital back to Kaegyeong, the old Goryeo capital.
In 1400, a conflict broke out between Yi Bangwon and his older brother, Yi Bang-gan. Yi Bangwon's force attacked and defeated Bang-gan's army, and Bang-gan was sent into exile along with his family. General Bak Bo, who persuaded Bang-gan to fight against Bangwon, was executed. King Jeongjong, knowing the acting king of the kingdom was his younger brother Bangwon, appointed him as a crown prince, and abdicated a few days later.
He was an able, wise administrator even though his short reign was marked by bloodshed within the royal family. He banned all kinds of private troops on the advice of Crown Prince Bangwon. He died in 1419, and was buried near Kaeseong.
Family
- Father: King TaejoTaejo of JoseonTaejo of Joseon , born Yi Seong-gye, whose changed name is Yi Dan, was the founder and the first king of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea, and the main figure in overthrowing the Goryeo Dynasty...
(태조) - Mother: Queen Shin-ui of the Anbyeon Han clan (신의왕후 한씨, September 1337–September 12, 1391)
- Consorts and their Respective Issue:
- Queen Jeongan of the Gyeongju Kim clan (정안왕후 김씨) - No issue.
- Royal Noble Consort Seong of the Cheongju Ji clan (성빈 지씨)
- Yi Hu-saeng, the Prince Deokcheon (이후생 덕천군, 1397-1465), 1st Son
- Yi Mal-saeng, the Prince Dopyeong (이말생 도평군), 2nd Son
- Ji Suk-ui (숙의 지씨)
- Yi Won-saeng, the Prince Uipyeong (이원생 의평군, ?-1461), 1st Son
- Yi Mu-saeng, the Prince Seonseong (이무생 선성군), 2nd Son
- Yi Ho-saeng, the Prince Imseong (이호생 임성군), 3rd Son
- Princess Hamyang (함양옹주), Only Daughter
- Ki Suk-ui of the Haengju Ki clan (숙의 기씨, ?-1457)
- Yi Gun-saeng, the Prince Sunpyeong (이군생 순평군, ?-1456), 1st Son
- Yi Ui-saeng, the Prince Geumpyeong (이의생 금평군, ?-1435), 2nd Son
- Yi Yung-saeng, the Prince Jeongseok (이융생 정석군), 3rd Son
- Yi Seon-saeng, the Prince Murim (이선생 무림군), 4th Son
- Princess Sukshin (숙신옹주), 1st Daughter
- Princess Sangwon (상원옹주), 2nd Daughter
- Princess Deokcheon (덕천옹주), 3rd Daughter
- Princess Goseong (고성옹주), 4th Daughter
- Princess Jeonsan (전산옹주), 5th Daughter
- Mun Suk-ui (숙의 문씨)
- Yi Gwi-saeng, the Prince Jong-ui (이귀생 종의군, 1393-1451), Only Son
- Lee Suk-ui (숙의 이씨)
- Yi Jong-saeng, the Prince Jinnam (이종생 진남군, 1406-1470), Only Son
- Yoon Suk-ui (숙의 윤씨)
- Yi Deok-saeng, the Prince Sudo (이덕생 수도군), 1st Son
- Yi Nok-saeng, the Prince Im-eon (이녹생 임언군), 2nd Son
- Yi Bok-saeng, the Prince Seokbo (이복생 석보군), 3rd Son
- Yi Bo-saeng, the Prince Jangcheon (이보생 장천군), 4th Son
- Princess Incheon (인천옹주), 1st Daughter
- Princess Haman (함안옹주), 2nd Daughter
- Lady Ga-ui of the Yoo clan (가의궁주 유씨)
- Yi Bul-no (이불노)
- Lady-in-Waiting Gimae (시비 기매)
- Yi Ji-woon (이지운)
His full posthumous name
- King Jeongjong Gongjeong Euimun Jangmu Onin Sunhyo the Great of Korea
- 정종공정의문장무온인순효대왕
- 定宗恭靖懿文莊武溫仁順孝大王