Cheoljong of Joseon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cheoljong of Joseon朝鮮哲宗 조선 철종 |
|
|---|---|
Portrait of King Cheoljong (Treasure #1492)
Painted in 1861, this is the only surviving royal portrait depicting King Cheoljong's physical appearance, as well as Joseon Era royal military attire; partly damaged during the Second Fire of Yongdusan, Busan during the early hours of 26 December 1954 |
|
| King of Joseon | |
| Reign | 1849–1864 |
| Predecessor | Heonjong of Joseon |
| Successor | Gojong of Joseon |
| Born | 25 July 1831 Hyanggyo-dong Neighborhood, Gyeonghaeng-bang District, Hanseong, Kingdom of Joseon |
| Died | 16 January 1864 (aged 32) Daejojeon Hall, Changdeokgung Palace, Kingdom of Joseon |
| Burial | Yereung Royal Tomb, Seosamneung Cluster, Goyang, Gyeonggi Province |
| Spouse | Queen Cheorin |
| Issue | Yi Yung-jun Princess Yeonghye 4 unnamed sons and 5 unnamed daughters |
| Father | Grand Internal Prince Jeongye |
| Mother | Grand Internal Princess Consort Yongseong |
Cheoljong of Joseon (born July 25, 1831 – died January 16, 1864) was the 25th king of the Joseon Dynasty. He became king at the age of 19. He was related to the previous king, Heonjong of Joseon, who had no children. Cheoljong was also a great-great-grandson of Yeongjo of Joseon, another important king.
Contents
Biography
Early Life and Family
Cheoljong was born on Ganghwa Island. His birth name was Yi Won-beom. He was the youngest of three sons of Prince Jeongye. His mother was Lady Yeom.
In 1841, when Cheoljong was young, some people tried to put his older half-brother, Yi Won-gyeong, on the throne. This plan was discovered, and Yi Won-gyeong was executed. Because of this, Cheoljong's family was sent away to Ganghwa Island. This was a common punishment for families linked to treason.
Becoming King
By the early 1800s, a powerful family called the Andong Kim clan had a lot of control in Joseon. They had provided several queens for the kingdom. This family wanted to keep their power. They often accused members of the royal family of treason. This forced many royals to leave the capital city.
When King Heonjong died, there were no clear heirs to the throne. The Andong Kim clan needed a new king they could control. They chose Cheoljong because he was a distant relative of the late king. He was also a descendant of King Yeongjo.
In 1849, Cheoljong was found on Ganghwa Island. His family had been living there in exile for many years. He was 19 years old when he was chosen to be king.
A Puppet King
When the royal messengers arrived on Ganghwa Island, they found Cheoljong and his family living in great poverty. Cheoljong was proclaimed king, but he could not even read the official notice. This was very unusual for a Joseon king, as royal sons were always given the best education.
The Andong Kim clan liked that Cheoljong was not well-educated. This made him easier to control. Even though Cheoljong ruled for 13 years, he never truly gained the respect or power of a king. People said he looked like a simple villager, even in royal clothes.
To further control him, the Andong Kim clan arranged for Cheoljong to marry Kim Mun-geun's daughter in 1851. She later became known as Queen Cheorin.
His Death
King Cheoljong had health problems throughout his life. Records show he had a weak digestive system. He also suffered from asthma and often caught colds. He took a lot of herbal medicine to try and get better.
Cheoljong died on January 16, 1864, when he was 32 years old. The exact reason for his death is not clear from official records. Some people think he might have died from liver disease or tuberculosis.
He died without any sons who survived him. This meant that once again, the royal family had to search far back in their family tree to find a new king.
Titles and Nickname
- Nickname: Woodcutter Prince of Ganghwa Island (강화도령) - This nickname came from his simple life on Ganghwa Island before he became king.
Royal Titles
- Prince Deokwan (1849)
- The King of Joseon (1849–1864)
In Popular Culture
- Portrayed by Kim Jung-hyun in the 2020 TV show Mr. Queen.
- Portrayed by Jung Wook in the 2020 TV show Kingmaker: The Change of Destiny.
See also
In Spanish: Cheoljong de Joseon para niños
- List of Rulers of Korea
- Joseon Dynasty
- History of Korea
- Jeongye Daewongun
Images for kids
-
Cheoljong's residence during his exile in Ganghwa Island. It was a cottage and was rebuilt as a palace, Yongheunggung (용흥궁), in 1853.
-
A map of Joseon from the 9th edition of Encyclopædia Britannica.
-
Yereung, the royal tomb of King Cheoljong and Queen Cheorin.
-
Park Yung-hyo (1861-1939), the son-in-law of Cheoljong.
.jpg)
