Emperor Yingzong of Song facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Emperor Yingzong of Song 宋英宗
Portrait kept in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, Taiwan
Emperor of the Song dynasty
Reign	1 May 1063 – 25 January 1067
Coronation	1 May 1063
Predecessor	Emperor Renzong
Successor	Emperor Shenzong
Born	Zhao Zongshi (1036–1062) Zhao Shu (1062–1067) 16 February 1032
Died	25 January 1067(1067-01-25) (aged 34)
Burial	Yonghou Mausoleum (永厚陵, in present-day Gongyi, Henan)
Consorts	Empress Xuanren ​ (m. 1046⁠–⁠1067)​
Issue	Emperor Shenzong Zhao Hao Zhao Yun Princess Hehui Princess Xianhui Princess Xiande Princess Zhenjing
Era dates Zhiping (治平; 1064–1067) Posthumous name Emperor Tiqian Yingli Longgong Shengde Xianwen Suwu Ruisheng Xuanxiao (體乾應歷隆功盛德憲文肅武睿聖宣孝皇帝) (conferred in 1083) Temple name Yingzong (英宗)
House	Zhao
Dynasty	Song (Northern Song)
Father	Zhao Yunrang
Mother	Lady Ren
Signature

Emperor Yingzong of Song (born February 16, 1032 – died January 25, 1067) was the fifth emperor of the Song dynasty in China. His original name was Zhao Zongshi. Later, in 1062, his name was changed to Zhao Shu by official order. He ruled from 1063 until his death in 1067. After he passed away, his oldest son, Emperor Shenzong, became the next emperor.

Emperor Yingzong's Family

Emperor Yingzong was the 13th son of Zhao Yunrang (趙允讓; 969–1059). Zhao Yunrang was a first cousin to Emperor Renzong, who was the emperor before Yingzong. Zhao Yunrang was later given the special title "Prince Anyi of Pu."

Yingzong's grandfather was Zhao Yuanfen (趙元份; 966–1005). He was a younger brother of Emperor Renzong's father, Emperor Zhenzong. Yingzong's mother was Lady Ren (任), who was one of Zhao Yunrang's wives.

Becoming Emperor: Early Life and Adoption

In 1055, the emperor at the time, Emperor Renzong, became very sick. He was worried because all his own sons had died young, and he had no one to take over the throne. His advisors suggested he adopt a male relative.

Emperor Renzong agreed to bring two young relatives into his palace. One of them was the future Emperor Yingzong. Yingzong was eventually chosen to be the Crown Prince, meaning he would be the next emperor. In 1062, when he was officially named Crown Prince, his name was changed to "Zhao Shu." He became emperor the following year, in 1063, after Emperor Renzong died.

Yingzong's Time as Emperor

Emperor Yingzong's main wife was Empress Gao. She was a niece of Empress Dowager Cao, who was the widow of the previous emperor, Renzong.

When Emperor Yingzong first became emperor, he was very ill. Because of his sickness, Empress Dowager Cao stepped in to rule for him. She held power even after Yingzong got better. However, the Prime Minister Han Qi helped Yingzong regain his power. He removed a screen in the audience hall, which made it impossible for the Empress Dowager to attend meetings and keep control. This forced her to give power back to Emperor Yingzong.

The "Great Rites Controversy"

Emperor Yingzong's rule is known for a big debate about how he should honor his father. Emperor Renzong had adopted Yingzong, so Renzong was officially his father as emperor. But Yingzong's birth father was Zhao Yunrang.

Some officials thought Emperor Yingzong should call his birth father "Imperial Uncle." However, Emperor Yingzong, along with officials like Ouyang Xiu, decided to honor his birth father as his true parent. This decision caused a lot of discussion and was an early example of similar debates that would happen later in Chinese history, like the Great Rites Controversy during the Ming dynasty.

Historical Projects and Foreign Relations

In 1063, Emperor Yingzong sent gifts, including beautiful writings by Emperor Renzong, to the Vietnamese King Ly Thanh Tong. Later, a Vietnamese leader named Than Thieu Thai attacked a Chinese area called Guangnan West Circuit. Local officials asked Yingzong for help. He told them to handle their own defenses, calling Than Thieu Thai "reckless and mad."

In 1065 AD, Emperor Yingzong gave an important order to the famous historian Sima Guang (1019–1086 AD). He asked Sima Guang and other scholars to create a huge history of China. This was a very important project.

Emperor Yingzong died in 1067 from an illness he caught in 1066. His son, Zhao Xu, became the next emperor, known as Emperor Shenzong. Yingzong had often struggled with his health and mental well-being, which contributed to his early death.

Emperor Yingzong's Children

Emperor Yingzong had several children with his wives.

• Empress Xuanren (1032–1093) was his main empress.
  • Zhao Xu, who became Emperor Shenzong (神宗 趙頊; 1048–1085). He was their first son.
  • Zhao Hao, who became Prince Wurong (吳榮王 趙顥; 1050–1096). He was their second son.
  • Princess Xianhui (賢惠帝姬; 1051–1080). She was their second daughter.
  • Princess Xiande (賢德帝姬; 1051–1123). She was their third daughter.
  • Zhao Yan, who was Prince Run (潤王 趙顏). He was their third son.
  • Zhao Yun, who became Prince Yiduanxian (益端獻王 趙頵; 1056–1088). He was their fourth son.
• He also had other children with different consorts:
  • Princess Hehui (惠和帝姬; died 1085). She was his first daughter.
  • Princess Zhenjing (貞靜帝姬).

See also

In Spanish: Song Yingzong para niños

• Chinese emperors family tree (middle)
• List of emperors of the Song dynasty
• Architecture of the Song dynasty
• Culture of the Song dynasty
• Economy of the Song dynasty
• History of the Song dynasty
• Society of the Song dynasty
• Technology of the Song dynasty