Queen Inseon

1.1. Early Life and Family Background

The future Queen Inseon was born on January 30, 1619 (December 25, 1618, by the Lunar calendar) in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, during the 11th year of King Gwanghae's reign. She was the second daughter and youngest child of Jang Yu (장유_{Jang Yu}^Korean), a prominent member of the Deoksu Jang clan, who served as Sinpung Buwongun and Uuijeong (Left State Councillor). Her mother was Kim Yi-sun (김이순_{Kim Yi-sun}^Korean), known as Internal Princess Consort Yeongga of the Andong Kim clan. Kim Yi-sun was the daughter of Kim Sang-yong (김상용_{Kim Sang-yong}^Korean), a Third State Councillor and a maternal grandniece of Gwon Yul, making Lady Jang his great-grandniece. Kim Sang-yong tragically self-destructed with gunpowder on Ganghwa Island during the Qing invasion of Joseon in 1637, when the island was about to fall to the enemy.

Through her paternal lineage, Lady Jang was a 7th great-granddaughter of King Sejo and Royal Noble Consort Geun, through their eldest son, Prince Deokwon. Her maternal grandfather's line also connected her to Prince Gyeongmyeong, the seventh child of King Seongjong and Royal Consort Suk-ui of the Namyang Hong clan, making Lady Jang a fifth cousin thrice removed to her future adoptive daughter, Princess Uisun. Imperial Consort Gwi-in of the Deoksu Jang clan, a concubine of King Gojong, was a descendant from Queen Inseon's father's side. It is said that Lady Jang possessed a courteous and gentle character, with an adorable physique and chubby cheeks.

1.2. Marriage and Life as Princess Consort

In 1630, at the age of 12, Lady Jang was personally chosen by King Injo to be the spouse of his second son, Yi Ho, Grand Prince Bongrim. King Injo regarded her as wise and virtuous. The following year, on September 13, 1631, she was formally bestowed the title of Princess Consort Pungan (풍안부부인_{Pungan Bubuin}^Korean) after an auspicious marriage ceremony with Grand Prince Bongrim.

Upon entering the palace, Princess Consort Pungan was noted for her meticulous conduct and consistent respect towards her elders, earning her special affection from her mother-in-law, Queen Inyeol. Four years later, she moved out of the palace with her husband to a private residence, where she demonstrated her prudence by skillfully managing household affairs and various domestic matters.

1.3. Hostage Experience in Qing Dynasty

During the Qing invasion of Joseon in 1636, Princess Consort Pungan initially fled to Ganghwa Island with Grand Prince Bongrim, her husband's sister-in-law Crown Princess Consort Kang, and her maternal grandfather, Kim Sang-yong. When Qing troops landed on Ganghwa Island, causing widespread panic, Princess Consort Pungan maintained her composure and handled the crisis calmly. After the fall of Ganghwa Island, Joseon suffered a decisive defeat, known as the "Humiliation at Samjeondo." As a result, Grand Prince Bongrim and his elder brother, Crown Prince Sohyeon, were taken as hostages to Shenyang, the capital of the Qing Dynasty.

Princess Consort Pungan chose to accompany her husband to Qing, enduring a challenging eight-year period of hostage life (from 1637 to 1645). During this time, she supported her husband by undertaking various difficult tasks. She gave birth to five children in Shenyang: three daughters and two sons, with only one son, Yi Yeon (the future King Hyeonjong), surviving to adulthood. This experience made her the first Joseon queen consort to have lived in a foreign country, a testament to her resilience and unwavering familial duty during a period of international hardship for Joseon.

1.4. Life as Crown Princess Consort

In 1645, after eight years in Qing, Crown Prince Sohyeon was released and returned to Joseon, but he died mysteriously on May 21, 1645, with suspicions of poisoning. Following this tragic event, Grand Prince Bongrim returned from Qing in the summer of 1645 and was appointed as the new Crown Prince. Consequently, Princess Consort Pungan automatically became the Crown Princess Consort on September 27, 1645.

This transition was fraught with political tension, particularly due to the fate of the former Crown Princess Consort Kang, who was later sentenced to death by King Injo. As the incoming Crown Princess, Lady Jang was acutely aware of the need for careful conduct in the highly sensitive political environment, learning from the tragic demise of her predecessor.

1.5. Queen Consort

In 1649, upon the death of King Injo, Crown Prince Bongrim ascended to the throne as the 17th monarch of Joseon, King Hyojong. Crown Princess Consort Jang was thus automatically elevated to the position of Queen Consort. As the head of the royal consorts, she was renowned for her wise leadership of court ladies and her compassionate yet firm treatment of subordinates.

An example of her benevolent nature is seen in an incident involving King Hyojong's concubine, Royal Consort Anbin Yi of the Gyeongju Yi clan. When Royal Consort Anbin Yi used informal speech towards her daughter, Princess Suknyeong, it caused a stir, as it was customary for royal concubines to use formal address to royal children, regardless of biological relation, due to their higher status. King Hyojong intended to punish Yi An-bin, but Queen Inseon adamantly persuaded the King to pardon her, demonstrating her deep care for those under her authority. She also showed impartiality by personally giving a gift to Princess Suknyeong when King Hyojong, conscious of the Queen's reaction, had only given presents to his other daughters, not the concubine's child.

Despite her kindness, the Queen's epitaph in the Veritable Records of the Joseon Dynasty records her saying, "If a wife regards highly of herself, such an attitude rarely doesn't cause harm to one's home or country; hens should not cry at dawn." This suggests a cautious approach to her role, possibly influenced by the political complexities of the time and the tragic death of Crown Princess Consort Kang.

The Queen maintained close relationships with her married daughters through written correspondence. Seventy letters in Korean, exchanged between the Queen and Princess Sukshin and Princess Sukmyeong, are still preserved today in the Sinhancheop collection.

1.6. Queen Dowager

In 1659, King Hyojong tragically died due to a medical accident while receiving acupuncture for a boil on his head, losing too much blood. Queen Inseon expressed profound sorrow, wailing severely, yet she meticulously prepared his funeral. It is said that she personally trimmed his fingernails and toenails and washed his body. Following his death, she consumed only thin rice gruel for three months as a sign of mourning.

Her son, Yi Yeon, succeeded his father as the 18th Joseon monarch, King Hyeonjong, and she was honored with the title of Queen Dowager Hyosuk (효숙왕대비_{Hyosukwangdaebi}^Korean). However, her health deteriorated significantly due to her intense grief and neglect of her own well-being. She frequently visited Onyang to bathe in hot springs, which offered some temporary improvement.

2.1. Palace Conduct and Character

Queen Inseon was widely praised for her exemplary conduct and character within the royal palace. She was known for her kindness, prudence, and equitable treatment of all royal family members and subordinates. She skillfully managed the inner court, ensuring harmony and order. Her ability to be stern yet merciful in her leadership fostered a respectful and stable environment. Her personal virtues and management style contributed significantly to the domestic harmony of the royal household, which was crucial for the stability of the Joseon court.

2.2. Support for Northern Expedition and Policies

Queen Inseon was a staunch supporter of King Hyojong's military policies, particularly his ambition for a "Northern Expedition" (북벌_Bukbeol^Korean) to avenge the humiliation suffered at the hands of the Qing Dynasty. Her support was not merely passive; she actively contributed to these national defense strategies. During her time as Queen Consort, she implemented several significant policies:

• Eradication of Exorcism:** She worked to abolish exorcism (known as Gutpan), a practice that was considered wasteful and superstitious, redirecting resources towards more constructive uses.
• Prohibition of Drinking:** She prohibited excessive drinking, likely to promote discipline and frugality within the court and society.
• Standardization of Blankets:** She unified the color of blankets to two specific colors, red and blue, ensuring that they could be easily converted into military uniforms in the event of war.

The financial resources saved or generated from these measures were explicitly directed towards supporting the preparations for the Northern Expedition. Her initiatives demonstrated a clear commitment to national defense and the welfare of the state, aligning with her husband's vision and reflecting her practical approach to governance.

3.1. The Yesong Dispute

After Queen Inseon's death in 1674, a major political controversy erupted, known as the Second Yesong Dispute (갑인예송_{Gabin Yesong}^Korean). This dispute centered on the appropriate mourning period for her, given that King Injo's second consort, Queen Dowager Jaui (who was six years her junior and her mother-in-law), was still alive.

The Western Faction (Seoin) initially argued for a one-year mourning period (Giyeonbok), but later revised it to a nine-month period (Daegongbok). The Southern Faction (Namin) vehemently opposed this, arguing that a one-year mourning period was correct, emphasizing the importance of King Hyojong's status as the legitimate successor to King Injo, despite being the second son.

King Hyeonjong ultimately sided with the Southern Faction, adopting their argument for a one-year mourning period. This decision had profound political consequences, leading to the ascendancy of the Southern Faction in court politics until the Gyeongsin Hwanguk in 1680. The Yesong Dispute highlighted the complex social and political dynamics of the Joseon era, where even ritualistic matters could become battlegrounds for factional power struggles and interpretations of Confucian principles.

4.1. Illness and Death

After King Hyojong's death in 1659, Queen Inseon's health deteriorated significantly due to her intense grief and self-neglect. Although she sought relief by frequently visiting Onyang and bathing in hot springs, which offered some temporary improvement, her condition worsened. In 1669, she, King Hyeonjong, Queen Myeongseong, and four princesses (Princess Sukan, Princess Sukmyeong, Princess Sukhwi, and Princess Sukgyeong) stayed at Onyang Hot Springs for about a month.

Her illness suddenly aggravated when she reached 56 years old (57 by Korean reckoning) in 1674. Queen Inseon passed away in Hoesangjeon Hall of Gyeongdeok Palace (now known as Gyeonghui Palace) on March 20, 1674 (February 24, 1674, by the lunar calendar).

4.2. Posthumous Title and Tomb

For her posthumous title, the character "In" (인_仁^Korean) signifies showing love and loyalty, while "Seon" (선_宣^Korean) denotes spreading goodness widely to others. Thus, she was posthumously honored as Queen Inseon. Her full posthumous title is Hyosuk Jeongbeom Gyeongnyeol Myeongheon Inseon Wanghu (효숙정범경렬명헌인선왕후_{Hyosuk Jeongbeom Gyeongnyeol Myeongheon Inseon Wanghu}^Korean).

Her tomb, known as Yeongneung, is located in Wangdae-ri, Neungseo-myeon, Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province. She is buried alongside her husband, King Hyojong, in a unique arrangement called Dongwonsanghareung (동원상하릉_{Dongwonsanghareung}^Korean), where the king's tomb lies in line with, but slightly above, that of his wife. This burial style reflects their enduring bond and historical legacy.

5.1. Parents and Siblings

Queen Inseon's parents were:

• Father:** Jang Yu (장유_{Jang Yu}^Korean; January 22, 1587 - April 30, 1638), posthumously honored as Sinpung Buwongun (신풍부원군) and Munchoongong (문충공). He served as Uuijeong (Right State Councillor). His parents were Jang Un-ik (장운익), who was posthumously granted the title of Yeonguijeong (Chief State Councillor) and Deoksu Buwongun, and Lady Park of the Miryang Park clan.
• Mother:** Kim Yi-sun (김이순_{Kim Yi-sun}^Korean; 1585 - January 19, 1654), known as Internal Princess Consort Yeongga (영가부부인) of the Andong Kim clan. Her parents were Kim Sang-yong (김상용; 1561-1637), posthumously granted the title of Yeonguijeong, and Lady Gwon of the Andong Gwon clan. Kim Yi-sun was also the great-granddaughter of Prince Gyeongmyeong.

Queen Inseon had two known siblings:

• Older sister:** Lady Jang of the Deoksu Jang clan (1610-?)
• Older brother:** Jang Seon-jing (장선징_{Jang Seon-jing}^Korean; 1614-1678), who served as Yejo Panseo (Minister of Rites) and was titled Pungyanggun.

5.2. Husband and In-laws

Queen Inseon's husband was Yi Ho, King Hyojong (조선 효종_{Joseon Hyojong}^Korean; July 3, 1619 - June 23, 1659), the 17th monarch of Joseon.

Her parents-in-law were:

• Father-in-law:** Yi Jong, King Injo (조선 인조_{Joseon Injo}^Korean; December 7, 1595 - June 17, 1649), the 16th monarch of Joseon.
• Mother-in-law:** Queen Inryeol of the Cheongju Han clan (인렬왕후 한씨_{Inryeolwanghu Hanssi}^Korean; August 16, 1594 - January 16, 1636).
• Stepmother-in-law:** Queen Jangryeol of the Yangju Jo clan (장렬왕후 조씨_{Jangnyeolwanghu Jossi}^Korean; December 16, 1624 - September 20, 1688), who later became Queen Dowager Jaui.

5.3. Children and Descendants

Queen Inseon and King Hyojong had a total of ten children, including their only surviving son who became King Hyeonjong, and one adopted daughter.

Notable grandchildren through King Hyeonjong and Queen Myeongseong include:

• Unnamed granddaughter (1658-1658)
• Princess Myeongseon (명선공주_{Myeongseon Gongju}^Korean; 1659 - September 12, 1673)
• Yi Sun, King Sukjong (숙종대왕_{Sukjong Daewang}^Korean; October 7, 1661 - January 12, 1720), the 19th monarch of Joseon.
• Princess Myeonghye (명혜공주_{Myeonghye Gongju}^Korean; September 12, 1663 - June 11, 1673)
• Yi On-hui, Princess Myeongan (이온희 명안공주_{Yi On-hui Myeongan Gongju}^Korean; January 30, 1665 - May 16, 1687)