Lady Hyegyeong

Queen Heongyeong 헌경왕후
Crown Princess of Joseon
Tenure	1744 - 1762
Predecessor	Crown Princess Hyosun
Successor	Crown Princess Kim
Born	6 August 1735 Bansonbong, Hanseong, Kingdom of Joseon
Died	13 January 1816 (1816-01-14) (aged 80) Changgyeong Palace, Hanseong, Kingdom of Joseon
Burial	Yungneung, Hwaseong 37°12′44″N 126°59′26″E / 37.21222°N 126.99056°E / 37.21222; 126.99056Coordinates: 37°12′44″N 126°59′26″E / 37.21222°N 126.99056°E / 37.21222; 126.99056
Spouse	Crown Prince Sado ​ ​ (m. 1744⁠–⁠1762)​
Issue	Yi Jeong Yi San Princess Cheongyeon Princess Cheongseon
Posthumous name 효강자희정선휘목유정인철계성헌경왕후 孝康慈禧貞宣徽穆裕靖仁哲啓聖獻敬王后
House	Pungsan Hong
Father	Hong Bong-han
Mother	Lady Hansan of the Hansan Yi clan

Lady Hyegyeong (6 August 1735 – 13 January 1816), also known as Queen Heongyeong, was a Korean writer and noblewoman during the Joseon Dynasty. She was the wife of Crown Prince Sado and mother of King Jeongjo.

Early life[]

Lady Hyegyeong was born in 1735, the third child and second daughter of the scholar Hong Bong-han and his wife Lady Hansan of the Hansan Yi clan. Hyegyeong was the great-great-great grandchild of Princess Jeongmyeong, a daughter of Seonjo of Joseon.^[1] In her memoirs, Lady Hyegyeong recalls being very attached to her parents, sleeping in her parent's room and accompanying her mother during her confinement for the birth of her brother, Hong Nak-sin.^[2] Lady Hyegyeong's parent's marriage suffered strain after the death of her paternal grandfather, but the couple reconciled when the young child refused to eat. ^[3] She was taught to read and write vernacular Korean by an aunt-in-law, Madame Sin.^[4]

Selection as Crown Princess[]

In 1744, a royal edict was sent out requesting that families with eligible girls submit their names for the selection of a spouse for the son of King Yeongjo, the Crown Prince Sado. Lady Hansan was unwilling to submit her nine-year-old daughter for consideration, but her husband insisted. For the first selection process, the Hong family was not particularly wealthy, so Lady Hansan stitched outfits suitable for presentation at court from old clothes.^[5] Lady Hyegyeong thought that she would be too young to be successful, but she was summoned to a private audience with the crown prince's mother and eldest sister.^[5] During the second presentation, three girls were selected, but Lady Hyegyeong writes in her memoir that King Yeongjo complimented her as a "beautiful daughter-in-law," during their meeting.^[6]

Lady Hyegyeong moved into a pavilion outside the palace, where she was tutored for a month by her parents and palace and palace staff.^[7] The wedding ceremony with Crown Prince Sado was held over a period of seven days in the first month of 1744.^[8]

Palace life[]

Lady Hyegyeong's family initially enjoyed a close relationship with their royal in-laws and her father was employed in various official roles during his lifetime.^[8] Hong Bong-han even tutored Crown Prince Sado early in his daughter's marriage.^[9] Lady Hyegyeong recalls that, as early as 1745, Prince Sado was displaying strange behaviours, at several points losing consciousness.^[10] The marriage was consummated in the same month as Prince Sado's capping ceremony in 1749.^[11]

Lady Hyegyeong gave birth to a son in 1750, but he died in 1752. Later the same year, she had another son named Yi San. The birth of a male heir so soon after the death of her eldest son meant that the court was particularly happy to welcome Yi San.^[12]

Crown Prince Sado's illness[]

During their marriage, Prince Sado's showed signs of increasingly severe mental illnesses. The symptoms included a sudden terror of thunder,^[13] inability to speak before his father,^[14] and a wish for death.^[15] After an argument with his father in 1756, Sado berated an official and, in his haste to pursue him, knocked over a candlestick that started a fire, burning down several buildings.^[16] Lady Hyegyeong, who was five months pregnant with Princess Cheongseon, ran to collect her son. When King Yeongjo discovered in 1757 that Prince Sado had fathered a son with a secondary consort, he criticised Lady Hyegyeong severely for helping Sado hide this. Afterwards, Lady Hyegyeong disguised the woman and snuck her out of the palace, hiding her at the home of Princess Hwawan.^[17]

Lady Hyegyeong attempted to support her husband in his illness. Her role in his life included procuring sufficient cloth to make multiple sets of clothes, as the prince's, "clothing phobia," that arose in 1757 caused him to often burn outfits before selecting one to wear.^[18] In the sixth month, Prince Sado entered their pavilion holding the severed head of a eunuch, which he forced the ladies-in-waiting to view. Later, he became violent towards the ladies-in-waiting, causing Lady Hyegyeong to report to his mother, Royal Noble Consort Yeong, that his illness was worsening. Royal Noble Consort Yeong wanted to speak to Prince Sado, but was persuaded not to, as Lady Hyegyeong said she feared for her own safety if he found out that his wife had spoken to others about it.^[19] In her memoirs, Lady Hyegyeong describes fearing for the safety of herself and her children when Prince Sado was having manic episodes.^[20] In 1760, she recalls Prince Sado threw a go board at her, which hit her in the face and caused such a large bruise around her eye that she had to miss a ceremony for King Yeongjo's moving house.^[21]

Section of a scroll painted in 1795 showing Lady Hyegyeong's palanquin on its way to visit Prince Sado's tomb.

In 1762, Prince Sado summoned his wife. Convinced she was going to die, Lady Hyegyeong first visited her son Yi San. On arriving, Prince Sado requested that she bring him their son's cap to wear to meet his father, but Lady Hyegyeong presented him with his own cap.^[22] When he left, Lady Hyegyeong returned to her son, where she later heard a eunuch requesting a rice chest from the kitchens. At this, Yi San ran outside to beg for his father's life and Lady Hyegyeong attempted suicide with scissors, but was stopped. She then went to the wall next to the courtyard where Sado was being sentenced by King Yeongjo and listened to her husband beg for his life. She then listened to the sound of Sado trying to get out of the chest.^[23]

Lady Hyegyeong wrote a letter begging clemency of King Yeongjo for herself and Yi San. The same day, her elder brother arrived with an edict to escort her to her father's home. Lady Hyegyeong was carried to a palanquin, where she fainted. Yi San later joined his mother at Hong Bong-han's house, along with his consort and sister.^[24] Eight days later, Prince Sado was pronounced dead and Lady Hyegyeong returned to the palace for the mourning rituals.^[25]

Aftermath[]

She wrote The Memoirs of Lady Hyegyeong (Korean: 한중록; RR: Hanjungnok), detailing her life as the ill-fated Crown Princess, her husband's descent into madness and the deeds for which he was eventually put to death.^[26][27][28]

Titles[]

• 6 August 1735 - January 1744: Lady Hong, daughter of Hong Bong-han of the Pungsan Hong clan
• January 1744 - 12 July 1762: Her Royal Highness, the Crown Princess of Joseon (왕세자빈; 王世子嬪)
• 12 July 1762 - 17 April 1776: Her Royal Highness, the Crown Princess Dowager of Joseon (왕세자대빈; 王世子大嬪)
• 17 April 1776 - 18 August 1800: Her Royal Highness, the Queen Dowager of Joseon (대비; 大妃)
• 18 August 1800 - 13 January 1816: Her Royal Highness, the Royal Grand Queen Dowager of Joseon (대왕대비; 大王大妃)
• Shortened posthumous title: Queen Heongyeong (헌경왕후; 兴庆王后)
• Full posthumous title: Queen Hyogang Jaheejeong Seon Hwimok Yujeong In Cheolgye Seong Heongyeong (효강자희정선휘목유정인철계성헌경왕후; 孝康慈禧貞宣徽穆裕靖仁哲啓聖獻敬王后)

Family[]

• Great-Great-Great-Great-Great-Grandfather
  • Hong Yi-sang (홍이상, 洪履祥) (1549 - 1615)
• Great-Great-Great-Great-Great-Grandmother
  • Lady Kim of the Andong Kim clan (정경부인 안동 김씨, 贈 貞敬夫人 安東 金氏) (1554 - 1616)
• Great-Great-Great-Great-Grandfather
  • Hong Yeong (홍영, 洪霙) (1584 - 1645)
• Great-Great-Great-Great-Grandmother
  • Lady Yi of the Yeonan Yi clan (정경부인 연안 이씨, 貞敬夫人 延安 李氏)
• Great-Great-Great-Grandfather
  • Hong Ju-won ( 홍주원, 洪柱元) (1606 - 1672)
• Great-Great-Great-Grandmother
  • Princess Jeongmyeong (정명공주, 貞明公主) (1603 - 1685); King Seonjo's daughter
• Great-Great-Grandfather
  • Hong Man-yong (홍만용, 洪萬容) (1631 - 1692)^[29]
• Great-Great-Grandmother
  • Lady Song of the Yeosan Song clan (본관: 여산 송씨, 礪山 宋氏) (1629 - 1677)
• Great-Grandfather
  • Hong Joong-ki (홍중기, 洪重箕) (1650 - 1706)
• Great-Grandmother
  • Lady Yi of the Jeonju Yi clan (본관: 전주 이씨, 全州 李氏); (이민서의 딸) daughter of Yi Min-seo (이민서, 李敏敍) (1633 - 1688)
• Grandfather
  • Hong Hyeon-Bo (1680 - 1740) (홍현보)
• Grandmother
  • Lady Im of the Pungcheon Im clan (본관: 풍천 임씨), Hong Hyeon-bo’s first wife; daughter of Im Bang (임방, 任埅) (1640 - 1724)
    • Step-grandmother - Lady Yi of the Seongju Yi clan (성주 이씨)
• Father
  • Hong Bong-Han (1713 - 1778) (홍봉한, 洪鳳漢)^[30]
    • Half-aunt - Lady Hong of the Pungsan Hong clan (풍산홍씨, 豊山 洪氏) (1717 - 1808)^[31]
    • Half-uncle - Jo Eom (조엄, 趙曮) (1719 - 1777)^[32][33]
    • Half-uncle - Hong In-han (홍인한, 洪麟漢) (1722 - 5 July 1776)
    • Half-aunt - Lady Pyeongsan of the Pyeongsan Shin clan (평산부부인 신씨)
      • Half-cousin - Hong Nak-won (홍낙원, 洪樂源)
      • Half-cousin - Hong Nak-sul (홍낙술, 洪樂述)
      • Half-cousin - Hong Nak-jin (홍낙진, 洪樂進)
      • Half-cousin - Hong Nak-sun (홍낙손, 洪樂遜)
      • Half-cousin - Hong Nak-joon (홍낙준, 洪樂浚)
      • Half-cousin - Lady Hong of the Pungsan Hong clan (풍��� 홍씨)
    • Half-uncle - Hong Joon-han (홍준한, 洪俊漢) (1731 - ?)
    • Half-uncle - Hong Yong-han (홍용한, 洪龍漢) (1734 - 1809)
• Mother
  • Lady Hansan of the Hansan Yi clan (1713 - 1755) (한산부부인 한산 이씨, 韓山府夫人 韓山 李氏)
    • Maternal Grandfather: Yi Jib (1670 - 1727) (이집, 李潗)
    • Maternal Grandmother: Lady Yu of the Gigye Yu clan (본관: 기계 유씨, 杞溪 兪氏)
  • Stepmother - Lady Kim of the Gimhae Kim clan (정부인 김해 김씨, 貞夫人 金海 金氏)
• Siblings
  • Older brother: Hong Nak-in (홍낙인, 洪樂仁) (1729 - 19 June 1777)
    • Sister-in-law: Lady Min of the Yeoheung Min clan (본관: 여흥 민씨, 驪興 閔氏)^{[34] [35]}
      • Nephew: Hong Soo-yeong (홍수영, 洪守榮)
  • Older sister: Lady Hong of the Pungsan Hong clan (본관: 풍산 홍씨, 豊山 洪氏); died young
  • Younger brother: Hong Nak-sin (홍낙신, 洪樂信) (1739 - 1796)
    • Sister-in-law: Lady Jo of the Imcheon Jo clan (본관: 임천 조씨, 林川 趙氏); (조명건의 딸) daughter of Jo Myeong-geon
  • Younger brother: Hong Nak-im (홍낙임, 洪樂任) (1741 - 1801)
    • sister-in-law: Lady Jo of the Imcheon Jo clan (본관: 임천 조씨, 林川 趙氏); (조명건의 딸) daughter of Jo Myeong-geon
  • Younger sister: Lady Hong of the Pungsan Hong clan (본관: 풍산 홍씨, 豊山 洪氏)
    • Brother-in-law: Yi Bok-il of the Jeonju Yi clan (이복일, 李復一) (1746 - ?)
  • Younger brother: Hong Nak-ryun (홍낙륜, 洪樂倫) (November 1750 - 1813)
    • Sister-in-law: Lady Kim of the Cheongpung Kim clan (본관: 청풍 김씨, 淸風 金氏)^[36]
    • Sister-in-law: Lady Yi of the Deoksu Yi clan (본관: 덕수 이씨, 德水 李氏)
  • Younger half-brother: Hong Nak-jwa (홍낙좌)
    • Sister-in-law: Lady Shin of the Pyeongsan Shin clan (평산 신씨, 平山 申氏)
  • Younger half-brother: Hong Nak-woo (홍낙우)
  • Younger half-brother: Hong Nak-dong (홍낙동)
  • Younger half-brother: Hong Nak-yi (홍낙이)
    • Sister-in-law: Lady Kim of the Andong Kim clan (안동 김씨, 安東 金氏)
• Husband
  • Yi Seon, Crown Prince Sado (13 February 1735 – 12 July 1762) (이선 사도세자)
• Sons
  • Yi Jeong, Crown Prince Uiso (27 September 1750 - 17 April 1752) (이정 의소세자)
  • King Jeongjo of Joseon (28 October 1752 – 18 August 1800) (조선 정조)
    • Daughter-in-law: Queen Hyoui of the Cheongpung Kim clan (5 January 1754 - 10 April 1821) (효의왕후 김씨)
• Daughters
  • Princess Cheongyeon (1754 - 9 June 1821) (청연공주)
    • Son-in-law: Kim Gi-Seong (? - 1811) (김기성)
      • Grandson: Kim Jae-chang (김재창, 金在昌) (1770 - 1849)
      • Granddaughter: Lady Kim of the Gwangsan Kim clan (본관: 광산 김씨, 光山 金氏) (1771 - 1787)
      • Grandson: Kim Jae-sam (김재삼, 金在三) (1776 -1837)
  • Princess Cheongseon (1756 - 20 July 1802) (청선공주)
    • Son-in-law: Jeong Jae-Hwa (1754 - 1790) (정재화)
      • Grandson: Jeong Ui (정의, 鄭漪) (1782 - 1832)
      • Granddaughter: Lady Jeong of the Yeonil Jeong clan (본관: 연일 정씨, 延日 鄭氏); married Min Chi-seong (민치성, 閔致成) of the Yeoheung Min clan
      • Granddaughter: Lady Jeong of the Yeonil Jeong clan (본관: 연일 정씨, 延日 鄭氏); married Hong Hyeok (홍혁, 洪赫) of the Pungsan Hong clan

In popular culture[]

Film and television[]

• Portrayed by Choi Myung-gil in the 1988 MBC TV series The Memoirs of Lady Hyegyeong.
• Portrayed by Ha Hee-ra in the 1998 KBS TV series Heaven Heaven.
• Portrayed by Kyeon Mi-ri in the 2007 MBC TV series Lee San, Wind of the Palace.
• Portrayed by Jung Ae-ri in the 2007 CGV TV series Eight Days, Assassination Attempts against King Jeongjo.
• Portrayed by Kim Sung-ryung in the 2014 film The Fatal Encounter.
• Portrayed by Park Eun-bin in the 2014 SBS TV series Secret Door.
• Portrayed by Moon Geun-young in the 2015 film The Throne.

Literature[]

• The novel The Red Queen by Margaret Drabble is based on the story of Lady Hyegyeong.^[37]

References[]

Notes[]

Works cited[]

• Kim Haboush, JaHyun (2013). The Memoirs of Lady Hyegyŏng: The Autobiographical Writings of a Crown Princess of Eighteenth-Century Korea (2 ed.). Berkeley: University of California Press. ISBN 978-0-520-20055-5.