Heonjong of Joseon facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Heonjong of Joseon 朝鮮憲宗 조선 헌종
King of Joseon
Reign	18 December 1834 – 25 July 1849
Predecessor	Sunjo of Joseon
Successor	Cheoljong of Joseon
Born	(1827-09-08)8 September 1827 Gyeongchunjeon, Changdeok Palace, Seoul, Joseon Korea
Died	25 July 1849(1849-07-25) (aged 21) Junghuidang, Changdeok Palace, Seoul, Joseon Korea
Burial	Gyeongneung, Guri, South Korea
Spouse	Queen Hyohyeon Queen Hyojeong
Issue	Unnamed daughter
Posthumous name 헌종경문위무명인철효대왕 憲宗經文緯武明仁哲孝大王
House	House of Yi
Father	Munjo of Joseon
Mother	Queen Sinjeong

Heonjong of Joseon (born 8 September 1827 – died 25 July 1849) was the 24th king of the Joseon Dynasty in Korea. He was the grandson of King Sunjo. His father was Crown Prince Hyomyeong, who passed away at age 20 before he could become king. His mother was Queen Sinjeong. Heonjong was born three years before his father's death.

Becoming King

Early Life and a Special Dream

Yi Hwan, who would later be known as King Heonjong, was born on 8 September 1827. His birthplace was Gyeongchunjeon, a building within Changdeok Palace. People said that the day before he was born, his mother had a special dream. She dreamt of receiving a box with a tree carved from jade inside. On the day he was born, a group of cranes flew around the palace for a long time. Everyone thought these were very unusual and special signs.

A Young Ruler Takes the Throne

Heonjong became king in 1834 when he was only 7 years old. This happened after his grandfather, King Sunjo, passed away. Because Heonjong was so young, his grandmother, Queen Sunwon, stepped in to help rule. She became the "queen regent," which means she managed the country until Heonjong was old enough to rule by himself.

Challenges During His Reign

Who Really Held the Power?

Even though Heonjong was the king, he didn't have much power over Joseon. When he became an adult, his grandmother, Queen Sunwon, didn't want to give up control. This meant that the real power stayed with her family, the Andong Kim clan. They took control of the kingdom around 1840. This happened after a time when people who followed Catholicism faced difficulties in 1839.

End of His Reign

His Passing and Successor

King Heonjong ruled for 15 years. He passed away in 1849 when he was 21 years old. He was buried at the Gyeongneung tomb. This tomb is part of the Donggureung Tomb Cluster in Seoul, where many Joseon kings and queens are buried. His two queens, Queen Hyohyeon and Queen Hyojeong, are also buried there.

King Heonjong did not have any children who survived him. Because of this, the throne went to a distant relative, King Cheoljong.

The Royal Records

After King Heonjong's death, a special record of his time as king was created. This record is called the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty. It was finished in 1851 and has 16 volumes. These annals are like a detailed history book of each king's reign.

Family Connections

• Grandfather: King Sunjo of Joseon (1790 – 1834)
• Grandmother: Queen Sunwon of the Andong Kim clan (1789 – 1857)
• Father: King Munjo of Joseon (1809 – 1830)
• Mother: Queen Sinjeong of the Pungyang Jo clan (1809 – 1890)
• Wives:
  • Empress Hyohyeonsong of the Andong Kim clan (1828 – 1843)
  • Queen Hyojeong of the Namyang Hong clan (1831 – 1904)
• Other Royal Consorts:
  • Royal Noble Consort Gyeongbin of the Gwangsan Kim clan (1832 – 1907)
  • Royal Noble Consort Jeongbin of the Haepyeong Yun clan (born 1833)
  • Royal Consort Suk-ui of the Gimhae Kim clan (1814 – 1895)
• Children:
  • An unnamed daughter (born and died in 1848)

Full Royal Name

• King Heonjong Jangsuk Chegeon Gyegeuk Jungjeong Gwangdae Jiseong Gwangdeok Hongun Janghwa Gyungmun Wimu Myeongin Cheolhyo the Great of Korea
• 헌종장숙체건계극중정광대지성광덕홍운장화경문위무명인철효대왕
• 獻宗莊肅體健繼極中正光大至聖光德弘運章化經文緯武明仁哲孝大王