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Queen Sohŏn

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Queen Sohŏn
Queen Consort of Joseon
Tenure18 September 1418 – 28 April 1446
PredecessorQueen Wongyeong
SuccessorQueen Jeongsun
Crown Princess of Joseon
Tenure20 July – 18 September 1418
PredecessorCrown Princess Kim[a]
SuccessorCrown Princess Kim
Born20 October 1395
Yangju-mok, Gyeonggi Province, Joseon
Died28 April 1446(1446-04-28) (aged 50)
Hanseong, Joseon
Burial
Yeongneung, Yeoju, South Korea
Spouse
​
(m. 1408)​
Issue
Detail		8 sons, 2 daughters
Posthumous name
Queen Sonin Jesong Sohŏn (선인제성소헌왕후; 宣仁齊聖昭憲王后)
Clan
DynastyYi
FatherShim On, Internal Prince Cheongcheon
MotherGrand Princess Consort of Samhan State, of the Sunheung An clan
ReligionBuddhism
Seal
Korean name
Hangul
소헌왕후
Hanja
昭憲王后
RRSoheon wanghu
MRSohŏn wanghu

Queen Sohŏn (Korean: 소헌왕후; Hanja: 昭憲王后; 20 October 1395 – 28 April 1446), of the Cheongsong Shim clan, was the wife of Sejong the Great, the fourth monarch of Joseon, and the mother of King Munjong and King Sejo. Known as Queen Kong during her tenure, she was queen of Joseon from 1418 until her death in 1446.

Biography

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Early life and lineage

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The future Queen Sohŏn was born during the reign of King Taejo, as the eldest child among five sons and six daughters; two of her younger brothers were of concubine birth. Her father was Shim On, who would later become chief state councilor, and her mother was a lady from the Sunheung An clan.

Her younger brother, Shim Hoe (심회), also served as chief state councilor, and eventually became an ancestor of Queen Insun and Queen Danui.

Her uncle, Shim Jong (심종), was King Taejong's brother-in-law through his marriage to the king's younger sister, Princess Kyŏngsŏn (경선공주).

Another uncle, Shim Chong (심정), had married a niece of King Gongyang of Goryeo, and Sugyong Shim (숙용 심씨), a consort of King Seongjong, was his granddaughter through a concubine-born son.

Her first cousin twice removed, Shim An-ui (심안의), married Princess Chongan (정안옹주), the youngest daughter of her husband, King Sejong.

Marriage

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In 1408, at the age of 13, Lady Shim married 11-year-old Prince Ch'ungnyŏng, the third son of King Taejong and Queen Wongyeong. She might have been selected as a royal bride due to her connection to Princess Kyŏngsŏn.

In 1418, upon Grand Prince Ch'ungnyŏng appointment as crown prince, Lady Shim became crown princess and received the honorific title kyŏng (경; lit. ''respectful''). King Taejong abdicated shortly after and Lady Shim's husband acceded to the throne (posthumously King Sejong); she thus became queen and her honorific title was altered to kong (공; lit. ''courteous'').

She was described as having a gentle and kind appearance but advocating strict adherence to laws and code of conduct.

Royal conflicts

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Like her predecessor and mother-in-law, Queen Wongyeong, Lady Shim also experienced the downfall of her natal family because King Taejong didn't tolerate powerful in-laws influencing politics. She lost her uncle Shim Chong, and her father Shim On, in 1418 and 1419, respectively. Her mother and remaining relatives were demoted to the slave class, and it wasn't until 1426 that King Sejong restored their official status.

Court officials brought up the topic of deposing Lady Shim during the purge of her family, but King Sejong fought back, citing her contributions to the management of the family and the fact that she had already given birth to two princes and was again pregnant at the time.

Rather than holding resentment toward King Sejong, Lady Shim was understanding and supportive of her husband through the ordeal. It was said that the Internal Court was at its most peaceful during her tenure. King Sejong also praised her for being a good leader for the women of the palace.

Death

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Lady Shim died at the age of 50, at the residence of her second son, Grand Prince Suyang. She was buried within Yeongneung (영릉) in present-day Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province. King Sejong, who outlived Lady Shim by four years, was later buried alongside her.

Grand Prince Suyang commissioned the creation of the Sŏkposangjŏl after his mother's death, intending it to ease her passage to the next life. It was, however, also made available to the general population, to encourage the propagation of the Buddhist faith. It was translated from Chinese to Korea's native hangul, and as such represents the oldest form of indigenous Korean written text.[1] The book was written at King Sejong's request,[2] and was first published in 24 volumes in 1447.[3] An original edition is held in the National Library of Korea, and has been designated as a Tangible Cultural Treasure.

Titles

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  • During the reign of King Taejo (r. 1392–1398):
    • Lady, of the Cheongsong Shim clan (청송 심씨; 靑松沈氏; from 20 October 1395)
      • Shim On's daughter (심온의 딸)
      • Lady Shim (심씨; 沈氏)
  • During the reign of King Taejong (r. 1400–1418):
    • Mistress Kyŏngsuk (경숙옹주; 敬淑翁主; from 23 March 1408)
    • Grand Princess Consort of Samhan State (삼한국대부인; 三韓國大夫人; from 2 November 1417)
    • Crown Princess Kyŏng (경빈; 敬嬪; from 20 July 1418)
  • During the reign of King Sejong (r. 1418–1450):
    • Queen Kong (공비; 恭妃; from 18 September 1418)
    • Queen (왕비; 王妃; from 17 June 1432)[b]
    • Queen Sohŏn (소헌왕후; 昭憲王后; from 1446)

Family

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  • Father: Shim On (심온), Internal Prince Cheongcheon (청천부원군; 1375 – 20 January 1419)
  • Mother: Grand Princess Consort of Samhan State (삼한국대부인), of the Sunheung An clan (순흥 안씨; ?–1444)
  • Sibling(s)
    • Sister: Lady, of the Cheongsong Shim clan (청송 심씨; 1397–?)[c]
    • Sister: Lady, of the Cheongsong Shim clan (청송 심씨; 1399–?)[d]
    • Sister: Lady, of the Cheongsong Shim clan (청송 심씨; 1401–?)[e]
    • Brother: Shim Jun (심준; 1405–1448)[f]
    • Sister: Lady, of the Cheongsong Shim clan (청송 심씨; 1406–1466)[g]
    • Brother: Shim Jang-su (심장수; 1408–?)[h]
    • Brother: Shim Jang-gi (심장기; 1409–?)[h]
    • Sister: Lady, of the Cheongsong Shim clan (청송 심씨; 1413–?)[i]
    • Brother: Shim Hoe (심회; 1418–1493)[j]
    • Brother: Shim Kyol (심결; 1419–1470)[k]
  • Husband: King Sejong (세종대왕; 15 May 1397 – 8 April 1450)
  • Issue
    • Princess Jeongso (정소공주; 1412 – 3 April 1424)
    • Yi Hyang (이향), King Munjong (문종대왕; 15 November 1414 – 10 June 1452)
    • Princess Jeongui (정의공주; 27 September 1415 – 5 March 1477)[l]
    • Yi Yu (이유), King Sejo (세조대왕; 11 November 1417 – 23 October 1468)
    • Yi Yong (이용), Grand Prince Anpyeong (안평대군; 27 October 1418 – 27 November 1453)
    • Yi Gu (이구), Grand Prince Imyeong (임영대군; 29 January 1420 – 11 February 1469)
    • Yi Yo (이여), Grand Prince Gwangpyeong (광평대군; 28 May 1425 – 8 December 1444)[m]
    • Yi Yu (이유), Grand Prince Geumseong (금성대군; 14 May 1426 – 16 November 1457)[n]
    • Yi Im (이임), Grand Prince Pyeongwon (평원대군; 15 December 1427 – 3 March 1445)[o]
    • Yi Yom (이염), Grand Prince Yeongeung (영응대군; 1 June 1434 – 7 March 1467)[p]

Ancestry

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Ancestors of Queen Sohŏn
Shim Yeon
(심연)
Shim Ryong
(심룡)
Shim Deok-bu
(심덕부)
Lady, of the Kim clan
(김씨)
Shim On, Internal Prince Cheongcheon
(청천부원군 심온)
Mun Pil-dae
(문필대)
Lady, of the Incheon Mun clan
(인천 문씨)
Queen Sohŏn
An Cheon-bo
(안천보)
Grand Princess Consort of Samhan State, of the Sunheung An clan
(삼한국대부인 순흥 안씨)
Lady, of the Yeongju Kim clan
(영주 김씨)
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See also

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Notes

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  1. ↑ Wife of Grand Prince Yangnyŏng.
  2. ↑ In 1432, the system of conferring honorific titles upon the queen and crown princess was abolished.
  3. ↑ Married Kang Seok-deok (강석덕), Internal Prince Jinyang (진양부원군; 1395–1459) from the Jinju Kang clan (진주 강씨); nephew-in-law of Princess Gyeonghwa. They had issue (2 sons).
  4. ↑ Married No Mul-jae (노물재; 1396–1446) from the Gyoha No clan (교하 노씨); son of Right State Councilor No Han (노한; 1376–1443) and nephew of Queen Wongyeong. They had issue (1 son), and eventually became ancestors of the 6th president of South Korea, Roh Tae-woo.
  5. ↑ Married Ryu Ja-hae (류자해) from the Jinju Ryu clan (진주 류씨); first cousin of Queen Jeonghui. They had issue (1 son); among their descendants was Ryu Sun-jong (grandson).
  6. ↑ ▪︎Wife: Lady, of the Yeoheung Min clan (여흥 민씨; 1403–?); third daughter of Min Mu-hyul (민무휼), Prince Yeowon (여원군; 1373–1416) and niece of Queen Wongyeong.
    ▪︎Issue: 2 sons.
  7. ↑ Married Yi Sung-ji (이숭지; ?–1462) from the Jeonui Yi clan (전의 이씨).
  8. 1 2 Half-brother.
  9. ↑ Married Park Geo-so (박거소) from the Suncheon Park clan (순천 박씨). They had issue (2 sons); among their descendants were Park Won-jong (grandson), Queen Janggyeong and Yun Im (great-grandchildren).
  10. ↑ ▪︎Wife: Lady, of the Wonju Kim clan (원주 김씨); daughter of Kim Yeon-ji (김연지), Duke Daegyeong (대경공).
    ▪︎Issue: 3 sons.
  11. ↑ ▪︎Wife: Lady, of Geochang Shin clan (거창 신씨); daughter of Shin Gi (신기) and first cousin once removed of Deposed Queen Shin.
    ▪︎Issue: 1 son.
  12. ↑ Married An Maeng-dam (안맹담), Prince Consort Yeonchang (연창위; 1415–1462) from the Juksan An clan (죽산 안씨); grandnephew of Consort Jeong and nephew of Consort Hyeon (현비 안씨; a consort of King U of Goryeo). They had issue (4 sons, 2 daughters).
  13. ↑ ▪︎Wife: Grand Princess Consort Yeongga (영가부부인), of the Pyongsan Shin clan (평산 신씨); daughter of Shin Ja-su (신자수).
    ▪︎Issue: 1 son.
  14. ↑ ▪︎Wife: Grand Princess Consort Wansan (완산부부인), of the Jeonju Choe clan (전주 최씨); daughter of Choe Sa-gang (최사강; 1388–1443), grandaunt of Concubine Gong and great-aunt of Deposed Queen Shin.
    ▪︎Issue: 2 sons (1 concubine-born son).
  15. ↑ ▪︎Wife: Grand Princess Consort Gangnyeong (강녕부부인), of the Namyang Hong clan (남양 홍씨); daughter of Hong I-yong (홍이용) and first cousin of Queen Insu.
    ▪︎Issue: 1 adopted son.
  16. ↑ ▪︎1st wife: Grand Princess Consort Daebang (대방부부인), of the Yeosan Song clan (여산 송씨); daughter of Song Bok-won (송복원) and aunt of Queen Jeongsun.
    ▪︎2nd wife: Grand Princess Consort Chunseong (춘성부부인), of the Haeju Jeong clan (해주 정씨); daughter of Jeong Chung-gyeong (정충경).
    ▪︎3rd wife: Grand Princess Consort Yeonseong (연성부부인), of the Yonan Kim clan (연안 김씨).
    ▪︎Issue: 1 son, 3 daughters.

References

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  1. ↑ "Sŏkpo sangjŏl" [Life History and Sermon of Buddha Abstracted from Buddhist Scriptures]. World Digital Library. Retrieved 21 July 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  2. ↑ Kim, Doosik. The History of Hnageul Typeface. Spinning Wheel of Time. p. 106. ISBN 978-89-6511-077-4.
  3. ↑ Kim, Mu-bong (March 2013). "A Study for 20th Volume of 『Seokbosangjeol (釋譜詳節)』 — Focusing on Bibliography and Language". Journal of Buddhist Studies (34). Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 23 May 2013.
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