Queen Uiin (Korean의인왕후 박씨; 5 May 1555 – 5 August 1600[a]), of the Bannam Park clan, was a posthumous name bestowed to the first wife and first queen consort of Yi Yeon, King Seonjo, the 14th Joseon monarch.[1][2] She was queen consort of Joseon from 1569 until her death in 1600.

Queen Uiin
의인왕후
Queen consort of Joseon
Tenure1569 – 5 August 1600
PredecessorQueen Insun
SuccessorQueen Inmok
Born5 May 1555
Joseon
Died5 August 1600 (1600-08-06) (aged 45)
Haeng Palace, Jeongreung-dong, Joseon
Burial
Spouse
(m. 1569⁠–⁠1600)
Posthumous name
장성휘열정헌경목의인왕후
HouseBannam Park
FatherPark Eung-sun, Internal Prince Banseong
MotherInternal Princess Consort Wansan of the Jeonju Yi clan

Biography

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Early life

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The future queen was born on 5 May 1555 during the reign of King Myeongjong. Her father, Park Eung-sun, was a member of the Bannam Park clan. Her mother was a member of the Jeonju Yi clan. She had a younger brother.

Through her mother, Lady Park was a first cousin fifth times removed of her future husband, King Seonjo. King Seonjo and Lady Park both share King Sejong as their ancestor as he's their 5th great-grandfather. King Seonjo's father, Internal Grand Prince Deokheung, was the 3rd great-grandson of King Sejong, and King Seonjo's mother, Internal Grand Princess Consort Hadong, was also the 3rd great-granddaughter of King Sejong.

Through her maternal 3rd great-grandmother, she was also a 4th great-granddaughter of Han Hwak and a 3rd great-grandniece of Queen Sohye; the mother of King Seongjong and daughter of Han Hwak.

Her first cousin, Park Mi, eventually became the 5th great-grandfather of Park Myeong-won; the husband of Princess Hwapyeong who was the eldest daughter of King Yeongjo and Royal Noble Consort Yeong.

Life as queen consort

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She became queen consort at the age of 15 in 1569 when she married the 17-year-old King Seonjo. Her mother was given the royal title of "Internal Princess Consort Wansan" (완산부부인) and her father being given the title of "Internal Prince Banseong" (반성부원군).

She was unable to bear children, and her husband went to concubines to produce heirs. She built Buddhist temples all over the country for her to pray in and made frequent donations to the temples, including Geonbongsa and Beopjusa.[3]

Imjin War and death

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After the Imjin War, Seonjo fled to Uiju to seek protection, bringing his concubine, Royal Noble Consort In of the Suwon Kim clan (인빈 김씨) and the Queen with him. But the Queen became separated on their way to their seek shelter, and so fled to Pyeonganam Island, Pyeongan Province. The King and Kim Inbin returned to the capital, but the Queen decided to stay in Haeju until 1597.

When the Second Invasion happened, Seonjo once again fled with Kim In-Bin but this time, the Queen fled together with Crown Prince Gwanghae. Her health deteriorated due to the strain of constantly moving from one place to another, and she later died at the age of 45, without any issue. She was posthumously honoured as Queen Uiin (의인왕후).

Family

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Parent

  • Father − Park Eung-sun (박응순; 朴應順; 11 June 1526 – 10 November 1580)
  • Mother − Yi Su, Internal Princess Consort Wansan of the Jeonju Yi clan (이수 완산부부인 전주 이씨; 李壽 完山府夫人 全州 李氏; 1527–1595)

Sibling

  • Younger brother − Park Dong-eon (박동언; 朴東彦; 1557–1605)

Consort

Issue

  • Adoptive son − King Gwanghae (광해군; 光海君; 1575–1641)
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Notes

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  1. ^ In the Korean calendar (lunisolar), the Queen was born on 15 April 1555 and died on 27 June 1600

References

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  1. ^ Song-mi, Yi (2024-03-05). Recording State Rites in Words and Images: Uigwe of Joseon Korea. Princeton University Press. ISBN 978-0-691-97391-3.
  2. ^ Korea, National Palace Museum of (2016-01-01). The King at the Palace: Joseon Royal Court Culture at the National Palace Museum of Korea. Designintro. ISBN 978-89-97748-29-7.
  3. ^ Jeong, Myounghee (2023). "Buddhist Practitioner and Artist: The Dual Identity of Buddhist Monk Painters during the Joseon Dynasty". Journal of Korean Art & Archaeology. 17: 12–30. doi:10.23158/jkaa.2023.v17_02. ISSN 2951-4983.

Sources

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Queen Uiin
Bannam Park clan
Royal titles
Preceded by
Queen Insun
of the Cheongsong Shim clan
Queen consort of Joseon
1569–1600
Succeeded by
Queen Inmok
of the Yeonan Kim clan