Princess Jeongmyeong

Princess Jeongmyeong 정명공주
Princess of Joseon
Reign	? – 8 September 1685
Born	27 June 1603 Haeng Palace, Jeongneung-dong, Hanseong-bu, Kingdom of Joseon
Died	8 September 1685 (1685-09-09) (aged 82) Andongbyeol Palace, Northern Anguk-bang, Hanseong-bu, Kingdom of Joseon
Burial	Ori-dong, Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do?
Spouse	Hong Ju-Won, Prince Consort Yeongan ​ ​ (m. 1623⁠–⁠1672)​
Issue	7 sons and 1 daughter
House	House of Yi (by birth) Pungsan Hong (by marriage)
Father	Seonjo of Joseon
Mother	Queen Inmok of the Yeonan Kim clan

Princess Jeongmyeong (Hangul: 정명공주, Hanja: 貞明公主; 27 June 1603 - 8 September 1685^[1]) was a Joseon Royal Princess as the only daughter of Seonjo of Joseon and Queen Inmok.^[2] She was the older sister of Grand Prince Yeongchang and the wife of Hong Ju-won whom was more younger than her.^[2] During her older half-brother, Gwanghaegun of Joseon's reign, she suffered hardships^[3] and her title was revoked. But was later reinstated and her title was given back after her half-nephew, Injo of Joseon ascended the throne as the new King to succeeded Gwanghae.

It was also said that her life had been as brittle and unfortunate like her ancestor, Princess Gyeonghye (경혜공주), and her descendant, Princess Deokhye (덕혜옹주), who were famous for their unfortunate fates as the Princess of Joseon and the Korean Empire.

Biography[]

Early life[]

Princess Jeongmyeong was born on 27 June 1603 as the only daughter of Seonjo of Joseon and Queen Inmok.^[4] At this time, her father was already 52 years old^[5] and her mother was 19 years old. The age gap had made it seem like Princess Jeongmyeong was Seonjo's granddaughter but despite the age difference, he favoured and showed affection towards Jeongmyeong, she becoming his favourite daughter.^[4]

However, her father died on 16 March 1608 at 55 years old when she was 6 years old and when her younger brother was 3 years old.

Gwanghaegun’s rise to the throne and Confinement[]

Afrer her father’s death, her older half-brother, Crown Prince Gwanghae took over the throne, both of her maternal grandfather, Kim Je-Nam and her younger brother, Grand Prince Yeongchang were involved in Gyechuk Oksa (계축옥사)^[6] and were to be executed for contempt and plotting against the king. This was because Gwanghaegun had seen the young prince as a threat to this position as a king.

Grand Prince Yeongchang later died from poisoning at 9 years old.^[7] She and her mother were then incarcerated and imprisoned at the West Palace (서궁).^[8][7]

As a child, she liked to write and when she was confined in West Palace, she wrote letters that resembled her parents' handwriting, specifically her mother’s, to comfort her beloved mother, this writing was then known as Hwajeong (화정, 華政).^[7] But when she was about 30-40 years old, she stopped writing.

It was said that when she was 11 years old, she contacted Smallpox disease. Based on The Diary of Gyechuk (계축일기), Buk-in (북인, 北人), Gwanghae's supporters seemed very happy and pleased about this news. At this time, there was a superstition that smallpox was not curable, but it was enough to deliberately send meat that was not cut into pieces nearby. Since a Princess couldn’t succeeded the throne, it was assumed that her mother and her younger brother actually wanted smallpox to die rather than wishing for her to die.^{[citation needed]}

When the Seo-in faction (서인, 西人) had made sure they couldn’t leave the palace, the Princess's mother, Queen Inmok feared that her daughter would be taken away and lied that the Princess had already died. During this time, in 1618, she was 16 years old. In 1623, 5 years later, Gwanghae was deposed from his position and was succeeded by Prince Neungyang (능양군).^[7]

Marriage[]

After the deposition of Gwanghaegun, there was a talk within court officials on having her mother, who became Queen Dowager; 대비, 大妃), be demoted and just become a royal consort (후궁, 後宮) so that the Princess will just be Ong-ju (옹주, 翁主).^[9] Yi Yi-Cheom (이이첨), who didn't like this, forced the Princess in getting married and lived outside from the palace but her marriage will be just like an Ong-ju (옹주, 翁主). However, the Princess's mother, who had lost and parted with her son during this period, didn't want to lose and part again with her only daughter,^[10] so she immediately applied to her stepson, Gwanghaegun of Joseon to free her daughter.

Later, on 1623, when her half nephew, Injo of Joseon succeed Gwanghae's throne, she was reinstated and allowed to live in Changdeok Palace (창덕궁, 昌德宮) along with her mother. At this time, she was 21 years old^[7] which was difficult age to marry because during this time period, the Princess was considered too old to marry as girls usually married at a young age. As she couldn’t find a husband who was similar to her age, she decided to choose someone younger than her.^[4] Since the other Princess's marriage was already a long time ago and it seems that she married the latest among the Joseon Princesses but in fact, her half sisters and her half nieces got married at older age than her, so the court ordered her to married in hurry.^[6] The reason why her marriage was postponed was unknown but it seems because of the circumstances along this period, or maybe because the Princess's mother who feared that if she was married, she wouldn’t be able to live in the palace and live within her in-law's house.

Then, on 26 September 1623, there was a selection (간택; Gantaek) to be her husband^[11] and there were only 9 people whom chosen. The winner of this selection was Hong Ju-Won (홍주원), the son of Hong-Yeong (홍영)^[12] from Pungsan Hong clan (풍산 홍씨),^[13] but at that time, Hong Ju-won, who was younger than her, was 18 years old.^[4] It was also said that Hong Ju-won already had a fiancée, but broke the engagement to marry the Princess.

Meanwhile, in the process, the Princess's mother, now Dowager Queen Soseong, made a problem with even down Hong Ju-Won to the horse that only the King could ride.^[14] Looking about this, Injo, who now become the new King of Joseon, actually disagreed about this, but he couldn't blamed and punished the Dowager Queen because he was still respected to her and regard her as his parent too. After the marriage, Injo gave Ingyeong Palace (인경궁)^[15][16] to her as her manor with Hong, and also gave her Jeong-cheol (정철).^[17][18] However, feared of suspicion of artificiality, she deliberately turned away from politics and only concentrated on sewing and housework.^[7]

Originally, Gyeongguk Daejeon (경국대전) stipulated that the princess's house couldn't exceed 50 periods, but her house was 200 years old until now.^{[citation needed]} In Gyeongsang-do, she enjoyed tremendous luxury, such as being given a large land reaching 8,076 units. Now, this land whom wad given to the Princess is the notorious pitfall of tenancy disputes until the Japanese colonial era. She later bore Hong Ju-Won 7 sons and 1 daughter.^[4]

After Queen Inmok's death[]

After her mother's death, there were some suspicions of King Injo and King Hyojong due to the letters that were found in the palace in the Queen Dowager’s living quarters. Then, Princess Jeongmyeong, and the court ladies who accompanied and involved, were arrested one after one and in a row, suffered not only several sentences and torture, but also death sentences.^[19] Even after getting torture and several sentences, she received the best treatment as an adult from her families during the King Hyeonjong and King Sukjong's reign.^[20]

Later life[]

The Princess outlived her husband by 13 years, living from her father, King Seonjo's reign until her step great-great-grandnephew, King Sukjong's reign. She later died on 8 September 1685 at 82 years old.^[21] After her death, she was buried near from her husband's tomb. She was the Princess who had lived the longest among all of Joseon Princesses in Joseon history records.

Titles and styles[]

• 27 June 1603 - 1618: Her Young Highness, Princess Jeongmyeong of Joseon (정명공주 아기씨, 貞明公主; Jeongmyeong-Gongju Agissi), first rank princess
• 1618 - 11 April 1623: Her Royal Highness, Princess Jeongmyeong of Joseon (정명옹주 마마; 貞明翁主 媽媽; Jeongmyeong-Ongju Mama), second rank princess
• 11 April 1623 - 8 September 1685: Her Royal Highness, Princess Jeongmyeong of Joseon (정명공주 마마, 貞明公主 媽媽; Jeongmyeong-Gongju Mama), first rank princess

Family[]

• Father: Seonjo of Joseon (26 November 1552 - 16 March 1608) (조선 선조왕)
  • Grandfather: Grand Internal Prince Deokheung (2 April 1530 - 14 June 1559) (덕흥대원군)
  • Grandmother: Grand Internal Princess Consort Hadong of the Hadong Jeong clan (23 September 1522 - 24 June 1567) (하동부대부인 정씨)^[22]
• Mother: Queen Inmok of the Yeonan Kim clan (15 December 1584 - 13 August 1632) (인목왕후 김씨)
  • Grandfather: Kim Je-nam, Internal Prince Yeonheung (1562 - 1613) (김제남 연흥부원군)
  • Grandmother: Internal Princess Consort Gwangsan of the Gwangju No clan (1557 - 1637) (광산부부인 광주 노씨)
• Sibling(s)
  • Unnamed younger sister (1604 - 1604)
  • Younger brother: Yi Ui, Grand Prince Yeongchang (12 April 1606 - 19 March 1614) (이의 영창대군)
    • Adoptive nephew: Yi Pil, Prince Changseong (창성군 필) (1627 - 1689)^[23]
• Husband: Hong Ju-won, Lord Yeongan (홍주원 영안위) (August 1606 - 3 November 1672)
  • Father-in-law: Hong Yeong (1584 - 1645) (홍영)^[24]
  • Mother-in-law: Lady Yi of the Yeonan Yi clan (? - 1656) (연안 이씨)^[25]
• Issues
  • Son - Hong Tae-Mang (홍태망, 洪台望) (1625 - ?)
  • Son - Hong Man-Yong (홍만용, 禮曹判書) (1631 - 1692)
    • Daughter-in-law - Lady Song of the Yeosan Song clan (여산 송씨)
      • Grandson - Hong Jong-gi (홍중기, 洪重箕)
        • Granddaughter-in-law - Lady Yi of the Jeonju Yi clan (전주 이씨, 全州 李氏)
          • Great-grandson - Hong Seok-bo (홍석보, 洪錫輔) (1672 - 1729)^[26]
          • Great-grandson - Hong Hyeon-bo (홍현보, 洪鉉輔)^[27]
      • Grandson - Hong Jong-beom (홍중범, 洪重範)
        • Great-grandson - Hong Jeong-bo (홍정보, 洪鼎輔)
        • Great-grandson - Hong Jin-bo (홍진보, 洪晉輔)
      • Grandson - Hong Jong-yeon (홍중연, 洪重衍)
        • Granddaughter-in-law - Lady Kim of the Cheongpung Kim clan (청풍 김씨)^[28]
      • Grandson - Hong Jong-bok (홍중복, 洪重福)
        • Great-grandson - Hong Gyeong-bo (홍경보, 洪鏡輔)
      • Grandson - Hong Jong-ju (홍중주, 洪重疇)
      • Granddaughter - Lady Hong of the Pungsan Hong clan (풍산 홍씨, 豊山 洪氏)
      • Granddaughter - Lady Hong of the Pungsan Hong clan (풍산 홍씨, 豊山 洪氏)
      • Granddaughter - Lady Hong of the Pungsan Hong clan (풍산 홍씨, 豊山 洪氏)
  • Son - Hong Man-Hyeong (홍만형, 洪萬衡) (1633 - 1670)
    • Daughter-in-law - Lady Min of the Yeoheung Min clan (여흥 민씨)^[29]
      • Grandson - Hong Jong-mo (홍중모, 洪重模)
        • Great-grandson - Hong Yun-bo (홍윤보, 洪允輔)
        • Great-grandson - Hong Geun-bo (홍근보, 洪謹輔)
      • Grandson - Hong Jong-hae (홍중해, 洪重楷)
        • Great-grandson - Hong Yang-bo (홍양보, 洪良輔)^[30]
  • Son - Hong Man-Hui (홍만희, 洪萬熙) (1635 - 1670)
    • Daughter-in-law - Lady Hwang of the Changwon Hwang clan (창원 황씨)
  • Son - Hong Tae-Ryang (홍태량, 洪台亮) (1637 - ?)
  • Son - Hong Tae-Yuk (홍태육, 洪台六) (1639 - ?)
  • Daughter - Hong Tae-im (홍태임, 洪台妊), Lady Hong of the Pungsan Hong clan (1641 - ?)
    • Son-in-law - Jo Jeon-Ju (조전주, 曺殿周) (1640 - 1696) from the Changnyeong Jo clan (창녕 조씨)
  • Son - Hong Man-Hoe (홍만회, 洪萬恢) (1643 - 1709)
    • Daughter-in-law - Lady Hong of the Namyang Hong clan (남양 홍씨)
      • Grandson - Hong Jong-seong (홍중성, 洪重聖)

Descendants[]

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This list is just a notable figure, such as:

1. Hong Seok-Bo (홍석보), who served as a Cham-pan (참판) during King Sukjong's reign was her great-grandson (3rd generation descendant).
2. Yi In-Geom (이인검), who served as a Su-chan (수찬) was her maternal great-grandson (3rd generation descendant).
3. Hong Hyeon-Bo (홍현보), who was the grandfather of Lady Hyegyeong was her great-great-grandson (4th generation descendant).
4. Hong Sang-Han (홍상한), who married with Queen Seonui's 4th cousin, Lady Eo (어씨) was her great-great-great-grandson (5th generation descendant).
5. Hong Bong-Han (홍봉한), who was the father of Lady Hyegyeong, was her great-great-great-grandson (5th generation descendant).
6. Crown Princess Consort Hyegyeong (혜경왕세자빈), who was the primary wife of Yeongjo of Joseon's second son, Crown Prince Sado was her great-great-great-great-great-granddaughter (6th generation descendant).
7. Royal Noble Consort Won (원빈 홍씨), who was the wife and consort of Jeongjo of Joseon, was her great-great-great-great-granddaughter (7th generation descendant).
8. Hong Hyeon-Ju, Duke Hyogan, Prince Consort Yeongmyeong (홍현주 효간공 영명위), who was the husband of Jeongjo of Joseon and Royal Noble Consort Su of the Bannam Bak clan's daughter, Princess Sukseon was her great-great-great-great-grandson (7th generation descendant).

In popular culture[]

Drama and Television series[]

• Portrayed by Park Rusia in the 1995 KBS2 TV series West Palace.
• Portrayed by Han Min in the 2014 tvN TV series The Three Musketeers.
• Portrayed by Heo Jung-eun, Jung Chan-bi, and Lee Yeon-hee in the 2015 MBC TV series Splendid Politics.^[31]

Novel[]

• Portrayed in the Naver Novel Series The Novel of Princess Jeongmyeong (소설 정명공주).^{[citation needed]}

Webtoon[]

• Portrayed in the 2019 KakaoPage Webtoon series Finally, The Blue Flame (마침내 푸른 불꽃이).^{[citation needed]}

References[]

Cites[]

Books[]

• Park Suhee (2016). The King at the Palace: Joseon Royal Court Culture at the National Palace Museum. National Palace Museum of Korea: Designintro. ISBN 978-89-299-0677-1.
• Koreana - Autumn 2015 (English). The Korea Foundation: International Korean Foundation. 2015.
• Kim Dae-jung (2018). Conscience in Action: The Autobiography of Kim Dae-jung chapter 1. Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore. ISBN 978-981-10-7623-7.
• Lady Hong (2013). Memoirs Of A Korean Queen. British Library: Routledge. ISBN 978-0-7103-0052-2.
• Shin Myung-ho (2015). 화정, 정명공주 [Hwajung, the Princess Jungmyung] (in Korean). South Korea: Maekyung Publishing.