Empress Zhou

Empress Xiaojielie (10 May 1611 – 24 April 1644), of the Zhou clan, was a Chinese empress consort of the Ming dynasty, married to the Chongzhen Emperor. She is commonly referred to as Empress Zhou.

Early life Empress Zhou originated from Suzhou. She came from a poor background, which was customary in the Ming dynasty, who selected imperial spouses from the poor, who unlike upper class women did not have powerful families who could help any potentially politically ambitious empress.

Empress She was elevated to the position of empress after the succession of the Chongzhen Emperor to the throne. Empress Zhou is described as "stern and prudent"; never forgetting of her poor origin, she maintained a frugal policy in palace affairs, and was admired and praised for this. Empress Zhou herself was ordered by the emperor to commit suicide, which she performed by hanging in Kunning Gong (Palace of Earthly Tranquility), Forbidden City.

Titles During the reign of the Wanli Emperor (r. 1572–1620): Lady Zhou (周氏; from 10 May 1611) During the reign of the Tianqi Emperor (r.1620–1627): Princess consort of Xin (信王妃; from 1626) During the reign of the Chongzhen Emperor (r. 1627–1644): Empress (皇后; from 2 October 1627) During the reign of the Longwu Emperor (r. 1645–1646): Empress Xiaojie Zhensu Yuangong Zhuangyi Fengtian Zhengsheng Lie (孝節貞肅淵恭莊毅奉天靖聖烈皇后/孝节贞肃渊恭庄毅奉天靖圣烈皇后; from 1645) During the reign of the Shunzhi Emperor (r. 1643–1661): Empress Xiaojing Zhenlie Cihui Zhuangmin Chengtian Peisheng Duan (孝敬貞烈慈惠莊敏承天配聖端皇后; from 1644) Empress Zhuangliemin (莊烈愍皇后; from 1659)

Issue As empress: Zhu Cilang, Crown Prince Xianmin (獻愍太子 朱慈烺; 26 February 1629 – 1644), the Chongzhen Emperor's first son Zhu Cixuan, Prince Yin of Huai (懷隱王 朱慈烜; died 15 January 1630), the Chongzhen Emperor's second son Princess Kunyi (坤儀公主; b. 1630), the Chongzhen Emperor's first daughter Princess Changping (長平公主; 1630–1646), personal name Meichuo (媺娖), the Chongzhen Emperor's second daughter Zhu Cijiong, Prince Ai of Ding (定哀王 朱慈炯; b. 1632), the Chongzhen Emperor's third son Princess Zhaoren (昭仁公主; 1639 – 24 April 1644), the Chongzhen Emperor's third daughter