Queen Sinui

Queen Sinui of the Anbyeon Han clan (Hangul: 신의왕후 한씨, Hanja: 神懿王后 韓氏; 1337 - 21 October 1391^[1]) was a posthumous name bestowed to the first wife of Taejo of Joseon. She was the biological mother of Jeongjong of Joseon and Taejong of Joseon.^[2]

She was given the title of Queen Jeol (절비, 節妃) in 1393. After her second son (Yi Bang-gwa) was appointment as a Crown Prince, she was promoted as Queen Consort. She was posthumously honoured as Queen Seunginsunseongsinui (승인순성신의왕후, 承仁順聖神懿王后), and after founding the Korean Empire in 1897, she was named as Empress Sinuigo (신의고황후, 神懿高皇后) in 1899.^[3]

Biography[]

Early life[]

The future Queen Sinui was born during King Chungsuk of Goryeo’s 5th year of reign in September 1337 in Geum-ri under Pungryu Mountain, Yeongheung-myeon, Northeast Goryeo. It is said that the monument was erected in this village on 1824 to commemorate the birth of the queen.^{[citation needed][4]}

Marriage and Later Life[]

In 1351, when she was 15 years old, she was arranged to marry Yi Seong-gye who was 2 years older than her. She later gave birth to 6 sons and 2 daughters from 1354 to 1370s. While Yi Seong-gye (later Yi Dan) was traveling through the battlefield, Lady Han took care of the household affairs in his hometown and helped out. In Kaegyeong (modern-day Kaeseong), Yi Seong-gye welcomed Lady Kang, a daughter of Kang Yun-seong, from the noble Goksan Kang clan, as his second wife. Lady Kang would later become the future Queen Hyeon.

In 1388, during the 14th year of King Woo’s reign, Lady Han stayed in Jaebyeok-dong, Pocheon, and fled to Dongbuk-myeon with her children and remaining family under the guidance of her fifth son Yi Bang-won.^[5] This eventually led her to be concerned about the threat of her life and later passed away on 21 October 1391. Her tomb is located in Jereung, Daeryeon-ri, Gaepung-gun, Kaeseong-si, North Korea.

Aftermath[]

After Lady Han’s death, her husband established the Joseon Dynasty a year later in 1392; thus having her husband become king and her children become princes and princesses.

During King Taejo’s 2nd year of reign in 1393, she was posthumously given the title of Queen Jeol (절비, 節妃; Jeolbi meaning Faithful Consort).^[6] During King Jeongjong’s first year of reign in 1398, Lady Han was posthumously honored as Queen Sinui (신의왕후, 神懿王后) by her second eldest son.

After the death of Queen Hyeon, her son, Yi Bang-won, eventually led a coup d'etat with his wife, Princess Jeongnyeong’s encouragement while King Taejo was in mourning for his second wife. This event led to the deaths of Jeong Do-jeon and his supporters, as well as the late Queen Sindeok's two sons; Yi Bang-beon, Grand Prince Muan and Yi Bang-seok, Grand Prince Uian. This incident became known as the First Strife of Princes.

Family[]

• Father: Han Gyeong, Internal Prince Ancheon (한경 안천부원군, 韓卿 安川府院君)
  • Grandfather: Han Gyu-In (한규인, 韓珪仁)
    • Great-grandfather: Han Yu (한유, 韓裕)
      • Great-great-grandfather: Han Yeon (한연, 韓淵)
  • Unnamed grandmother of first rank (정경부인, 貞敬夫人)
• Mother: Internal Princess Consort Samhanguk of the Saknyeong Shin clan (삼한국대부인 삭녕 신씨, 三韓國大夫人 朔寧 申氏)
  • Grandfather: Shin Yun-Ryeo (신윤려, 申允麗)
  • Unnamed grandmother
• Siblings
  • Younger brother: Han Seong-Gi, Prince Ansan (한성기 안산군, 韓成己 安山君)
  • Younger brother: Han Chang-Su, Duke Yangjeong, Prince Anwon (1365 - 1440) (한창수 양정공 안원군)
  • Younger brother: Han Geum-Gang (? - 1433) (한금강, 韓金剛)
    • Sister-in-law: Lady Moon of the Nampyeong Moon clan (정부인 남평 문씨, 貞夫人 南平 文氏)
  • Younger brother: Han Yung-Jeon (1368 - 1442) (한융전, 韓隆田)
    • Sister-in-law: Lady Lee (정부인 이씨, 貞夫人 李氏)
  • Younger brother: Han Geom, Duke Yangjeong, Prince Ancheon (? - 1433) (한검 양정공 안천군, 韓劍 良精公 安川君)
  • Younger sister: Lady Han of the Anbyeon Han clan (안변 한씨, 安邊 韓氏)
    • Brother-in-law: Moon Won-Jwa of the Nampyeong Moon clan (문원좌, 文原佐)

Consort:

• Husband: Yi Dan, King Taejo of Joseon (27 October 1335 – 18 June 1408) (조선 태조)
  • Father In-law: Yi Jachun, King Hwanjo of Joseon (환조대왕) (20 January 1315 - 3 June 1361)
  • Mother In-law: Queen Uihye of the Yeongheung Choi clan (의혜왕후 최씨)

Issue(s):

• Son: Yi Bang-U, Grand Prince Jinan (1354 - 15 January 1394) (이방우 진안대군)
  • Daughter-in-law: Grand Lady Ji of the Chungju Ji clan (대부인 충주 지씨)
    • Grandson: Yi Bok-Geun, Prince Bongnyeong (이복근, 봉녕군)^[7]
    • Granddaughter: Princess Gyeonghye (경혜옹주)^{[8][9] [10]}(→Princess Hansan (한산군주)^[11]→Princess Yeongdong (영동 현주)^[12]
      • Great-grandson: Yi Won-Jeung (이원증)^[13]
      • Great-grandson: Yi Hyeong-Jeung (이형증)^[14]
• Son: Yi Bang-Gwa, Grand Prince Yeongan (18 July 1357 - 15 October 1419) (이방과 영안대군)
  • Daughter-in-law: Queen Jeongan of the Gyeongju Kim clan (22 January 1355 – 2 August 1412) (정안왕후 김씨)
• Son: Yi Bang-Ui, Grand Prince Ikan (1360 - 26 September 1404) (이방의 익안대군)
  • Daughter-in-law: Lady Choi of the Dongju Choi clan (대부인 동주 최씨)
    • Grandson: Yi seok-geun, Duke Anryang, Internal Prince Ikpyeong (이석근 안량공 익평부원군)
      • Granddaughter-in-law: Lady Kim of the Gyeongju Kim clan (대부인 경주 김씨)
      • Granddaughter-in-law: Lady Kim (대부인 김씨)
    • Granddaughter: Princess Hoein (회인현주)
      • Grandson-in-law: Kim Han (김한)
        • Great-grandson: Kim Yu-Don (김유돈)
          • Great-granddaughter-in-law: Lady Kim of the Yeonan Kim clan (연안김씨)
        • Great-grandson: Kim Yu-Jang (김유장)
          • Great-granddaughter-in-law: Lady Shin, of the Pyeongsan Shin clan (평산신씨)
        • Great-granddaughter: Lady Kim (김씨)
        • Great-granddaughter: Lady Kim (김씨)
    • Granddaughter: Lady Yi of the Jeonju Yi clan
• Son: Yi Bang-Gan, Grand Prince Hwian (2 July 1364 - 10 April 1421) (이방간 회안대군)
  • Daughter-in-law: Internal Princess Consort Min of the Yeoheung Min clan (대부인 여흥 민씨)
    • Grandson: Yi Maeng-Jung, Prince Uiryeong (이맹중 의령군)
      • Great-grandson: Yi-On, Prince Yeongpyeong (이온 영평군)
• Son: Yi Bang-Won, Grand Prince Jeongan (13 June 1367 - 30 May 1422) (이방원 정안대군)
  • Daughter-in-law: Queen Wongyeong of the Yeoheung Min clan (원경왕후 민씨)
    • Granddaughter: Princess Jeongsun (1385 – 25 August 1460) (정순공주)
      • Grandson-in-law: Yi Baek-Gang, Duke Jeongjeol, Internal Prince Consort Cheongpyeong (1381 - 1451) (이백강 정절공 청평부원군)
        • Great-Granddaughter: Lady Lee of the Cheongju Lee clan (정경부인 청주 이씨)
          • Great-Grandson-in-law: Yi Gye-Rin, Duke Gongmu, Prince Hansan (1401 - 1455) (이계린 공무공 한산군)
            • Great-great-granddaughter: Lady Yi of the Hansan Yi clan
    • Granddaughter: Princess Gyeongjeong (1387 – 6 June 1455) (경정공주)
      • Grandson-in-law: Jo Dae-Rim, Internal Prince Pyeongyang (1387 - 1430) (조대림 평양부원군)
        • Great-granddaughter: Lady Jo (조씨)
        • Great-granddaughter: Lady Jo (조씨)
        • Great-granddaughter: Lady Jo (조씨)
        • Great-granddaughter: Lady Jo (조씨)^[15]
        • Great-grandson: Jo Mu-Yeong (조무영)
          • Great-granddaughter-in-law: Lady Nam of the Uiryeong Nam clan
    • Granddaughter: Princess Gyeongan (1393 – 30 May 1415) (경안공주)
      • Grandson-in-law: Kwon Gyu, Prince Gilchang (1393 - 1421) (권규 길창군)
        • Great-grandson: Gwon Dam (? - 1439) (권담)
          • Great-granddaughter-in-law: Lady Park of the Hamyang Park clan (함양 박씨)
          • Great-granddaughter-in-law: Lady Jeong of the Yeonil Jeong clan (연일 정씨)
        • Great-grandson: Kwon Chong, Duke Yeongjeong (1413 - 1480) (권총 영정공)
          • Great-granddaughter-in-law: Lady Choi of the Jeonju Choi clan (전주 최씨)
        • Unborn Great-granddaughter
    • Grandson: Yi Je, Grand Prince Yangnyeong (1394 – 7 September 1462) (이제 양녕대군)
      • Granddaughter-in-law: Grand Princess Consort Suseong of the Gwangsan Kim clan (수성부부인 광산김씨)
        • Great-grandson: Yi-Gae, Duke Huian, Prince Sunseong (? - 2 September 1462) (이개 희안공 순성군)
          • Great-granddaughter-in-law: Lady Shin (? - 27 November 1453) (신씨)
        • Great-grandson: Yi-Po, Duke Yian, Prince Hamyang (1417 - 21 June 1475) (이포 이안공 함양군)
          • Great-granddaughter-in-law: Princess Consort Taein of the Lee clan (태인군부인 이씨)
        • Great-grandson: Yi Hye, Prince Seosan (? - 10 April 1451) (이혜 서산군)
          • Great-granddaughter-in-law: Princess Consort Yangcheon of the Kim clan (? - 5 June 1464) (양천현부인 김씨)
        • Great-granddaughter: Princess Yeongcheon (1412 - 5 April 1442) (영천군주)
        • Great-granddaughter: Lady Yi of the Jeonju Yi clan
        • Great-granddaughter: Princess Yeongpyeong (영평현주)
          • Great-grandson-in-law: Kim Cheol-Gyun (김철균)
        • Great-granddaughter: Lady Yi of the Jeonju Yi clan
          • Great-grandson-in-law: Park Su-Jong (박수종)
        • Great-granddaughter: Princess Jaeryeong (? - 1444) (재령군주)
          • Great-grandson-in-law: Yi Ja (이자)
    • Grandson: Yi Bo, Grand Prince Hyoryeong (6 January 1396 – 12 June 1486) (이보 효령대군)
      • Granddaughter-in-law: Grand Princess Consort Yeseong of the Haeju Jeong clan (1394 - 1470) (예성부부인 해주 정씨)
        • Great-grandson: Yi Chae, Prince Uiseong (1411 - 1493) (이채 의성군)
          • Great-granddaughter In-law: Princess Consort Hoein of the Seongju Yi clan (회인군부인 성주이씨)
        • Great-grandson: Yi Chin, Prince Seowon (1413 - 1475) (이친 서원군)
          • Great-granddaughter In-law: Princess Consort Uiryeong of the Gyeongju Yi clan (의령군부인 경주이씨)
        • Great-grandson: Yi Gap, Prince Boseong (1416 - 1499) (이갑 보성군)^[16]
          • Great-granddaughter In-law: Lady Yi (이씨)
        • Great-grandson: Yi Mil, Prince Nakan (1417 - 1474) (이밀 낙안군)
          • Great-granddaughter In-law: Princess Consort Yangsan of the Onyang Kim clan (양산군부인 언양 김씨)
        • Great-grandson: Yi Jeong, Prince Yeongcheon (1422 - ?) (이정 영천군)
          • Great-granddaughter In-law: Princess Consort Kwon of the Yecheon Kwon clan (군부인 예천 권씨)
        • Great-grandson: Yi Ui, Prince Woncheon (1423 - 1476) (이의 원천군)
          • Great-granddaughter In-law: Princess Consort Jo of the Baekcheon Jo clan (군부인 백천 조씨)
          • Great-granddaughter In-law: Princess Consort Jo of the Hanyang Jo clan (군부인 한양 조씨)
    • Grandson: Yi Do, Grand Prince Chungnyeong (15 May 1397 – 8 April 1450) (이도 충녕대군)
      • Granddaughter-in-law: Queen Soheon of the Cheongseong Sim clan (12 October 1395 - 19 April 1446) (소헌왕후 심씨)
        • Great-granddaughter: Princess Jeongso (1412 - 1424) (정소공주)
        • Great-grandson: Crown Prince Yi Hyang (15 November 1414 - 1 June 1452) (왕세자 이향)
          • Great-granddaughter In-law: Crown Princess Hwi of the Andong Kim clan (1410 - 1429) (휘빈 김씨)^[17]
          • Great-granddaughter In-law: Crown Princess Sun of the Haeum Bong clan (1414–1436) (순빈 봉씨)
          • Great-granddaughter In-law: Queen Hyeondeok of the Andong Kwon clan (17 April 1418 – 10 August 1441) (현덕왕후 권씨)
        • Great-granddaughter: Princess Jeongui (1415 - 1477) (정의공주)^{[18][19][20][21]}
          • Great grandson-in-law: Ahn Maeng-Dam, Duke Yanghyo, Prince Yeonchang (1415 - 1462) (안맹담 양효공 연창군)
        • Great-grandson: Yi-Yu, Grand Prince Suyang (2 November 1417 - 23 September 1468) (이유 수양대군)
          • Great-granddaughter In-law: Queen Jeonghui of the Papyeong Yun clan (8 December 1418 - 6 May 1483) (정희왕후 윤씨)
        • Great-grandson: Yi Yong, Grand Prince Anpyeong (18 October 1418 – 18 November 1453) (이용 안평대군)
          • Great-granddaughter In-law: Grand Princess Consort Jeong of the Yeonil Jeong clan (? - 31 May 1453) (부부인 영일 정씨)
        • Great-grandson: Yi Gu, Grand Prince Imyeong (6 January 1420 – 21 January 1469) (이구 임영대군)
          • Great-granddaughter In-law: Princess Consort Nam of the Uiryeong Nam clan
          • Great-granddaughter In-law: Grand Princess Consort Jean of the Jeonju Choi clan (제안부부인 전주 최씨)
          • Great-granddaughter In-law: Grand Princess Ahn of the Andong Ahn clan (부부인 안동 안씨)
        • Great-grandson: Yi Yeo, Grand Prince Gwangpyeong (2 May 1425 – 7 December 1444) (이여 광평대군)
          • Great-granddaughter In-law: Grand Princess Consort Yeongga of the Pyeongsan Shin clan (영가부부인 평산 신씨)
        • Great-grandson: Yi Yu, Grand Prince Geumseong (5 May 1426 – 7 November 1457) (이유 금성대군)
          • Great-granddaughter In-law: Grand Princess Consort Wansan of the Jeonju Choi clan (완산부부인 전주 최씨)
        • Great-grandson: Yi Im, Grand Prince Pyeongwon (18 November 1427 – 16 January 1445) (이임 평원대군)
          • Great-granddaughter In-law: Grand Princess Consort Gangnyeong of the Namyang Hong clan (? - 1483) (강녕부부인 남양 홍씨)
          • Great-granddaughter In-law: Grand Princess Consort Daebang of the Yeosan Song clan (? - 1507) (대방부부인 송씨)^[22]
          • Great-granddaughter In-law: Grand Princess Consort Chunseong of the Jeong clan (춘성부부인 정씨)^[23]
          • Great-granddaughter In-law: Grand Princess Consort Yeonseong of the Kim clan (연성부부인 김씨)
    • Granddaughter: Princess Jeongseon (1404 – 25 February 1424) (정선공주)
      • Grandson-in-law: Nam Hwi, Prince Consort Uisan (? - 1454) (남휘 의산위)
        • Great-grandson: Nam Bin (남빈)
          • Great-granddaughter In-law: Lady Hong of the Namyang Hong clan (남양 홍씨)
        • Great-granddaughter: Lady Nam (남씨)
    • Grandson: Yi Jong, Grand Prince Seongnyeong (3 August 1405 – 11 April 1418) (이종 성녕대군)
      • Granddaughter-in-law: Lady Seong of the Changnyeong Seong clan (대부인 창녕 성씨)
• Son: Yi Bang-Yeon, Grand Prince Deokan (이방연 덕안대군)
• Daughter: Princess Gyeongsin (? – 29 April 1426) (경신공주)
  • Son-in-law: Yi Ae, Prince Consort Sangdang (이애 상당부원군)
    • Grandson: Yi Hu (이후)
      • Granddaughter-in-law: Lady Yi of the Hansan Yi clan (한산 이씨)
• Daughter: Princess Gyeongseon (경선공주)
  • Son-in-law: Sim Jong, Prince Consort Cheongwon (? - 1418) (심종, 청원군)^[24]
    • Granddaughter: Lady Sim, of the Cheongsong Sim clan (청송 심씨)
      • Grandson-in-law: Yi Myeong-Sin, Duke Gangpyeong (? - 1386) (이명신, 강평공)

See also[]

• Grand Prince Jinan
• Jeongjong of Joseon
• Taejong of Joseon
• Taejo of Joseon
• Queen Sindeok

In popular culture[]

• Portrayed by Tae Hyun-Shil in the 1983 KBS TV series Foundation of the Kingdom.
• Portrayed by Kim So-Won in the 1983 MBC TV series The King of Chudong Palace.
• Portrayed by Han Young-Sook in the 1996 KBS TV series Tears of the Dragon.
• Portrayed by Lee Duk-hee in the 2021 KBS1 TV series Taejong Yi Bang-won.

References[]