Hyejong of Goryeo
Hyejong of Goryeo | |
Hangul | 혜종 |
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Hanja | 恵宗 |
Revised Romanization | Hyejong |
McCune–Reischauer | Hyejong |
Hyejong of Goryeo (912 – 23 October 945) 惠宗 (r. 943–945) was the second monarch of the Goryeo dynasty of Korea. He was preceded by Emperor Taejo and succeeded by Emperor Jeongjong I of Goryeo.
Monarchs of Korea |
Goryeo |
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Early life
Hyejong was born to Emperor Taejo and his second wife, Queen Janghwa, whom he married while serving in Na-Ju as a general of Later Goguryeo under Gung Ye. Hyejong lacked strong political support as his mother’s family was politically insignificant and had little power. In 921, Hyejong was proclaimed Crown Prince and Royal Successor with support from General Bak Sul-Hui. Almost immediately after being named Imperial Crown Prince, Hyejong followed his father Taejo into battle against Later Baekje and played a major role in numerous victories. In 943, Hyejong rose to the throne upon his father’s death.
Reign
Hyejong’s reign was marked with conspiracy and power struggles among Taejo’s sons. The first of these conspiracies was led by Princes Wang Yo and Wang So, sons of Taejo and his third consort, Queen Sinmyeongsunseong of the Chungju Yu clan, which possessed considerable political influence. Upon realizing the conspiracy by the two princes, Wang Gyu warned Hyejong of the conspiracy, but plotted to put his grandson on the throne when Hyejong did nothing to stop the conspiracy of the two princes.
Death
Under a lot of stress, Hyejong died in 945, during the second year of his reign. Hyejong's death was said to have been caused by disease, but many historians have come to the conclusion that he may have died at the hands of his half-brothers So and Yo due to the fact that Prince Yo rose to the throne through election by the scholar-officials and not through Hyejong's will.
Family
- Father: Emperor Taejo
- Mother: Queen Janghhwa
- Consorts:
- Queen Euihwa
- Lady Later Gwangjuwon
- Lady Chengjuwon
- Court Lady Lee Ae-Joo
- Children:
- Prince Heunghwa
- Lady Gyeonghwaone
- Princess Jeongheon
- Crown Prince Je
- Lady Myeonghye