Grand Prince Nŭngch'ang

Grand Prince Nŭngch'ang
Duke Hyomin
효민공[1]
Prince of Joseon
Reign1612 – 4 May 1632
Coronation1612
PredecessorPrince Neungwon
Grand Prince of Joseon
(posthumously)
Coronation4 May 1632
PredecessorGrand Prince Neungwon
BornYi Jeon (이전; 李佺)
16 July 1599
His father's private house, Saemun-ri, Hanseong-bu, Joseon
Died17 November 1615 (aged 16)
Gyodong-gun, Ganghwa, Gyeonggi Province, Joseon
Burial
"Grand Prince Neungchang Mausoleum", Chungung-dong, Hanam, Gyeonggi Province
Spouse
Grand Princess Consort of the Neungseong Gu clan
​
​
(m. 1615⁠–⁠1615)​
Issue
  1. Princess Yi Yeong-On
  2. Yi Yo, Prince Inpyeong (adopted)
HouseYi
FatherWonjong of Joseon (biological)
Prince Sinseong (adopted)
MotherQueen Inheon of the Neungseong Gu clan (biological)
Princess Consort of the Pyeongsan Sin clan (adopted)
Korean name
Hangul
이전
Hanja
李佺
RRI Jeon
MRI Chŏn
Royal title
Hangul
능창대군
Hanja
綾昌大君
RRNeungchang daegun
MRNŭngch'ang taegun
Posthumous name
Hangul
효민
Hanja
孝愍
RRHyomin
MRHyomin

Prince Nŭngch'ang (Korean: 능창군; Hanja: 綾昌君; 16 July 1599 – 17 November 1615), formally known as Grand Prince Nŭngch'ang (능창대군; 綾昌大君), and with the personal name Yi Jeon (이전; 李佺), was a Korean royal prince of the Joseon dynasty. He was the third son of Wonjong of Joseon and Queen Inheon of the Neungseong Gu clan.[2] He was also the second younger brother of Injo of Joseon. Prince Nŭngch'ang was noted for his proficiency in equestrianism, martial arts, and particularly in archery.

Biography

Early life

The future Grand Prince Nŭngch'ang was born on 16 July 1599 (the 32nd year of Seonjo of Joseon's reign) in Saemun-ri, Seongseo, Hanseong-bu, Joseon. He was the youngest son of Prince Jeongwon (정원군; 定遠君) and Princess Consort Yeonju of the Neungseong Gu clan (연주군부인; 連珠郡夫人), the daughter of Gu Sa-maeng (구사맹).[3]

Although he was the biological son of Prince Jeongwon, he was later adopted by his second uncle, Prince Sinseong (신성군), who had no heirs.[4] He was raised by his adoptive mother, Princess Consort Sin (군부인 신씨), the daughter of Sin Rip (신립).[3] As a result, Sin Rip became his maternal grandfather, and Sin Gyeong-jin (신경진) and Sin Gyeong-hui (신경희) were regarded as his maternal uncles.[5]

From a young age, Prince Nŭngch'ang was described as intelligent, talented, and of good appearance. He enjoyed reading and was nicknamed Hyeongongja (현공자; 賢公子, meaning "virtuous young master"). In 1601, at the age of three, he was granted the title Master Nŭngch'ang (능창수; 綾昌守). In 1612, at the age of fourteen, he was elevated to the title Prince Nŭngch'ang (능창군; 綾昌君).[6]

During Gwanghaegun of Joseon's reign

During the reign of his half-uncle, Gwanghaegun of Joseon, rumours circulated that Prince Nŭngch'ang harboured ambitions for the throne and posed a threat to Gwanghaegun's rule. In 1608, following Gwanghaegun’s ascension to the throne and the death of Yu Yeong-gyeong (유영경) in prison, Prince Nŭngch'ang was granted the title of Jeongunwonjong gongsin, rank 1 (정운원종공신 1등). Later, in 1613 (the fifth year of Gwanghaegun's reign), after Prince Imhae (임해군) was imprisoned, he was awarded the title of Iksawonjong gongsin, rank 1 (익사원종공신 1등).[7]

On 14 August 1615, there was speculation that Gwanghaegun intended to elevate him to the title of Grand Prince Nŭngch'ang (능창대군; 綾昌大君). However, on 22 August 1615, Gwanghaegun ordered his arrest. After questioning him at Injeongmun (인정문; 仁政門), the prince was imprisoned and subsequently exiled to Gyodong-do, Ganghwa.[3]

Later life

On 17 November 1615 (the eighth year of Gwanghaegun of Joseon's reign), Prince Nŭngch'ang took his own life after writing a farewell letter to his parents, which he entrusted to his brother-in-law at a government office. However, the susaeng (수생) who received the letter was unable to deliver it immediately and instead concealed it in his sash, later burying it in the ground. In March 1623, following the rebellion and subsequent accession of his eldest brother, Grand Prince Neungyang (능양대군), the letter was finally delivered to him.[3]

According to other records, on 19 November 1615 (the seventh year of Gwanghaegun's reign), Gwanghaegun exiled Prince Nŭngch'ang to Gyodong Island on charges of treason, where he was reportedly executed shortly after his arrival. Upon hearing of his death, their father, Wonjong, was said to have been overcome with grief. He fell ill and, after consuming alcohol while unwell, died on 2 February 1619 (the eleventh year of Gwanghaegun's reign) at the age of 40.[3]

On 13 March 1623, Prince Nŭngch'ang's eldest brother, Prince Neungyang (능양군), led a coup that deposed Gwanghaegun and ascended the throne.[8] During Injo's reign, Prince Nŭngch'ang, along with Gim Je-nam (김제남), Grand Prince Yeongchang (영창대군), and Yi Tae-gyeong, Prince Jilleung (이태경 진릉군), was posthumously reinstated.[9]

Prince Nŭngch'ang was initially honoured with the posthumous title of Gadeokdaebu (가덕대부; 贈嘉德大夫).[10] On 15 October 1629 (the seventh year of Injo’s reign), he was further elevated to Hyeollokdaebu (현록대부; 贈顯祿大夫).[11]

In 1630, after his parents were posthumously granted the titles of Grand Internal Prince (대원군; 大院君; Daewongun) and Grand Internal Princess Consort (부대부인; 府大夫人; Budaebuin), Prince Nŭngch'ang was elevated to the status of Grand Prince (대군; 大君; Daegun) on 4 May 1632 (the tenth year of Injo's reign).[3] His tombstone was subsequently inscribed with the title Grand Prince Nŭngch'ang (능창대군; 綾昌大君).

Aftermath and tomb

Prince Nŭngch'ang died on 17 November 1615, not long after his marriage to Lady Gu, the future Princess Consort Gu (군부인 구씨), in March 1615. Although she did not bear any children, he had one daughter with a concubine, Princess Yi Yeong-on (향주 이영온), who later married Hŏ Sŏ (허서), the third younger brother of Hŏ Mok.

He was initially buried in Gunjang-ri, Geumchon-myeon, Yangju-gun, Gyeonggi Province (later part of Geumgok-ri (Geumgok-dong, Namyangju), Migeum-myeon). On 29 October 1629, during the sixth year of Injo of Joseon's reign, his tomb was relocated to Nanji-won, Geuncheohyeok-dong, Namhansanseong Fortress, Godae-myeon, Gwangju-gun, Gyeonggi Province. It was later moved again to the mountain behind Gogol Gungan Village, Chungung-ri, Dongbu-myeon, Gwangju-gun, Gyeonggi Province.

On 13 May 1658, his adopted son, Grand Prince Inpyeong (인평대군), died and was buried on 13 July of the same year beside Nŭngch'ang's tomb. However, after 35 years, his remains were moved to Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province. To the left of Nŭngch'ang's tomb are the tombs of Yi Hyeok, Prince Uiwon (이혁 의원군) and his wife, while the tombs of Yi Yeon-Eung (이연응) and his wife are located below them.

Meanwhile, Nŭngch'ang's residence was confiscated by Gwanghaegun of Joseon and incorporated into Gyeongdeok Palace (경덕궁; 慶德宮).[7] After his death, in March 1623, his elder brother Prince Neungyang (능양군) led a rebellion and ascended the throne as King Injo. Nŭngch'ang was posthumously reinstated on 15 March that same year and was initially honoured with the title Gadeokdaebu (가덕대부), later changed to Hyeollokdaebu (현록대부). King Injo designated his third son, Grand Prince Inpyeong (인평대군), as Nŭngch'ang's adoptive heir.

Family

  • Father
    • Biological: Wonjong of Joseon (조선 원종; 2 August 1580 – 29 December 1619)
    • Adoptive (biological uncle): Yi Hu, Prince Sinseong (이후 신성군; 6 January 1579 – 8 December 1592)
      • Grandfather: Seonjo of Joseon (조선 선조왕; 26 November 1552 – 16 March 1608)
      • Grandmother: Royal Noble Consort In of the Suwon Kim clan (인빈 김씨; 1555 – 10 December 1613)
  • Mother
  • Siblings
  • Consorts and issue
    • Primary consort: Grand Princess Consort Gu of the Neungseong Gu clan (부부인 능성 구씨) — No issue.
      • Adoptive son: Yi Yo, Grand Prince Inpyeong (이요 인평대군; 10 January 1622 – 13 June 1658)
    • Unknown woman (a palace maid):
      • Daughter: Princess Yi Yeong-on (향주 이영온; 李英溫)

Others

  • In the family registers of Prince Namyeon (남연군), Prince Imperial Heung (흥친왕), and Prince Yeongseon (영선군) during the Japanese colonial period, both were recorded as descendants of Grand Prince Nŭngch'ang, listed as being from the seventh generation.
  • Although Heo Mok (허목) personally built and inscribed the tombstones of his wife, in-laws, and daughter-in-law, his eldest daughter's tombstone does not contain detailed inscriptions about her life. It only records that she was married to Heo Seo (허서), Heo Mok's third younger brother.[12][13]
  • He shared the same title name as Yi Suk, Prince Nŭngch'ang (이숙 능창군; ? – 30 November 1768), who was the son of Yi Yeon, Prince Hwasan (이연 화산군) and grandson of Yi Geon, Prince Haewon (이건 해원군). Yi Suk was also the son of Yi Gong, Prince Inseong (이공 인성군), an illegitimate son of King Seonjo. Therefore, Prince Nŭngch'ang (Yi Suk) was also a descendant of Prince Nŭngch'ang (Yi Jeon).
  • Portrayed by Lee Seok-min in the 2003 SBS television series The King's Woman.

References

  1. ^ 조선왕조실록. Veritable Records of the Joseon Dynasty. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
  2. ^ 조선왕조실록. Veritable Records of the Joseon Dynasty. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d e f 인조 대왕 행장(行狀). Veritable Records of the Joseon Dynasty. Retrieved 12 June 2021.
  4. ^ "인조실록 26권, 인조 10년 5월 4일 / 능원군과 능창군을 각각 대군으로 올리다" [Annals of the Joseon Dynasty, Book 26 of King Injo, 4 May 1632 (Lunar), "Prince Neungwon and Prince Neungchang both raised to the title of Grand Prince"; describes that Yi Jeon (Prince Neungchang) was posthumously adopted as a son of Prince Sinseong (Yi Hu)]. 조선왕조실록 (in Korean). 국사편찬위원회. Retrieved 15 September 2025.
  5. ^ 조선왕조실록. Veritable Records of the Joseon Dynasty. Retrieved 12 June 2021.
  6. ^ 新完譯 대동 기문 [The New Story of Daedong Gimun] (in Korean). University of California, Oakland, California: Myeongundang (명문당). 2000. p. 235. ISBN 9788972704584. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
  7. ^ a b 조선왕조실록. Veritable Records of the Joseon Dynasty (in Chinese). Retrieved 12 June 2021.
  8. ^ 인조 대왕 행장(行狀). Veritable Records of the Joseon Dynasty. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
  9. ^ 조선왕조실록. Veritable Records of the Joseon Dynasty. Retrieved 12 June 2021.
  10. ^ Lee, Seong-mu (1995). 가덕대부 (贈嘉德大夫). Encyclopedia of Korean Culture. Academy of Korean Studies. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  11. ^ Lee, Seong-mu (1995). 현록대부(顯祿大夫). Encyclopedia of Korean Culture. Academy of Korean Studies. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  12. ^ 조선왕조실록. Veritable Records of the Joseon Dynasty (in Chinese). Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  13. ^ 인조실록 [Annals of Injo of Joseon] (in Korean). University of California, Oakland, California: National Culture Promotion Association, 민족문화추진회. 1989. p. 247.
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