Fearsome Facts About King Yeongjo, Father Of The Mad Prince
King Yeongjo of Joseon was born in 1694, the second son of King Sukjong and Consort Suk of the Haeju Choi clan. After his older brother Gyeongjong’s ascension, he was controversially named the Royal Prince Successor Brother.
Despite the controversy, he ascended to the throne four years later and embarked on a dramatic, 52-year reign, which included the shocking scandal that led to his own deranged son's execution. Read on for 42 facts about this formidable ruler.
1. The Last Dynasty
The Joseon dynasty was founded in 1392 by Yi Seong-gye and lasted for five centuries before being replaced with the Korean Empire in 1897. Not a bad run!
2. Teenage Ruler
Yeongjo’s father, King Sukjong, became crown prince at age six and assumed the throne at age thirteen.
While Sukjong was renowned as a politician, he found himself stuck in the middle of a series of nasty wars between the Western and Southern political factions in Korea.
Ironically, despite frequently swapping one faction with another to strengthen the power of the crown, things were generally pretty good under his reign.
3. Royal Noble Consort
The Royal Noble Consort was the title given to the concubines of the Korean kings. They were of lower rank than the queen, but higher in rank than most court ladies, making them part of the royal family.
Yeongjo’s mother Suk earned the favor of the king and worked her way up to the rank of Bin—the highest ranked of the noble consorts.
4. Shadow King
While Gyeongjong, Yeongjo's older brother, was king, he suffered ill health and was unable to produce an heir—or to do much of anything for that matter. The Noron political faction wanted to outright replace Gyeongjong with his younger brother.
While that didn’t quite happen, Yeongjo was made Royal Prince Successor, which allowed him to handle state affairs while Gyeongjong was ill.
