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Danjong of Joseon

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Danjong (Korean: 단종; Hanja: 端宗; 18 August 1441 – 17 November 1457[a]), personal name Yi Hong-wi (이홍위; 李弘暐), was the sixth monarch of the Joseon dynasty of Korea. He was forced to abdicate by his uncle, Grand Prince Suyang (the future King Sejo), and was put to death after being exiled to Yeongwol.[1]

Danjong
단종
端宗
Portrait of Danjong (c. 1927)
King of Joseon
Reign10 June 1452 – 4 July 1455
EnthronementGeunjeongjeon Hall, Gyeongbokgung, Hansŏng
PredecessorMunjong
SuccessorSejo
King Emeritus of Joseon
Tenure4 July 1455 – 21 July 1457
PredecessorTaejong
SuccessorSejo
Born18 August 1441
Jaseondang Hall, Gyeongbokgung, Hansŏng, Joseon
Died17 November 1457(1457-11-17) (aged 16)
Yeongwol, Gangwon Province, Joseon
Burial
Jangneung Mausoleum, Yeongwol County, Gangwon Province, South Korea
Spouse(s)
​
(m. 1454)​
Names
Yi Hong-wi (이홍위; 李弘暐)
Era name and dates
Adopted the era name of the Ming dynasty:
  • Gyeongtae (Jingtai) (경태; 景泰): 1452–1455
Posthumous name
Joseon: King Sunjeong Anjang Gyeongsun Donhyo the Great (순정안장경순돈효대왕; 純定安莊景順敦孝大王)
Temple name
Danjong (단종; 端宗)
ClanJeonju Yi
DynastyYi
FatherMunjong of Joseon
MotherQueen Hyeondeok
ReligionKorean Confucianism (Neo-Confucianism)
Korean name
Hangul
단종
Hanja
端宗
Revised RomanizationDanjong
McCune–ReischauerTanjong
Birth name
Hangul
이홍위
Hanja
李弘暐
Revised RomanizationI Hongwi
McCune–ReischauerI Hongwi

Biography

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The future Danjong was born during the reign of his grandfather, King Sejong. His mother, Crown Princess Consort Gwon (posthumously honored as Queen Hyeondeok), didn't recover after giving birth and died the next day. He had one older sister, Princess Gyeonghye, and one older half-sister, Princess Gyeongsuk.

In 1452, Yi Hong-wi succeeded his father, King Munjong, at the age of 12.[2] Since he was too young to rule, the governing of the country fell to Chief State Councillor Hwangbo In, and Left State Councillor General Kim Jong-seo, along with Princess Gyeonghye acting as his guardian.[3]

In 1453, this government was overthrown in a coup d'état led by his uncle, Grand Prince Suyang (posthumously called King Sejo), who persuaded a number of scholars and officials who had served in the court of Sejong the Great to support his claim to the throne. Hwangbo In and Kim Jong-seo were captured and killed in front of the gate of Gyeongbokgung.

In late January 1454, the 14 years-old king married the 15 years-old daughter of Song Hyeon-su, Lady Song the Yeosan Song clan (later known as Queen Jeongsun). In 1455, he was forced to abdicate and became the King Emeritus of Joseon while his wife became Queen Dowager Uideok.

The following year, six court officials attempted to restore him to power, but their plot was discovered and they were immediately executed.[2] Yi Hong-wi was later demoted to Prince Nosan (Nosan Gun; 노산군, 魯山君) and exiled to Yeongwol. His wife was also kicked out of the palace after losing her status as queen dowager and being demoted to Princess Consort Nosan (Nosan Gunbuin; 노산군부인).

Initially, Sejo was hesitant to execute Danjong and showed mercy despite the attempted coup. However, he began perceiving that Danjong would present a continuing threat to his rule, Sejo accepted the advice of the court and ordered that his nephew be disposed of. In November 1457, he was put to death.[2]

There was an attempt to honor the late king and queen during Jungjong's reign, but he rejected the proposal. During the reign of King Sukjong scholars once again proposed the restoration of the titles. After 200 years, in 1698, the demoted Prince Nosan and his wife were finally restored, receiving the temple name "Danjong", and posthumous name "Queen Jeongsun".

Family

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Consort(s) and their respective issue

Ancestry

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See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Gregorian calendar dates

References

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  1. ^ Lee, Jeong-bong (1 June 2011). "A hamlet rich in history and art". Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on 16 February 2013. Retrieved 27 January 2013.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  2. ^ a b c Neff, Robert (16 November 2019). "Murder, misery and mercy: Boy-king's life brutally cut short". The Korea Times. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  3. ^ An, Seung-jun (4 April 2014). "Forgotten story of Princess Gyeonghye". The Korea Times. Retrieved 22 February 2018.
Danjong of Joseon
Born: 18 August 1441 Died: 17 November 1457
Regnal titles
Preceded by King of Joseon
10 June 1452 – 4 July 1455 		Succeeded by
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