Jangsun

Queen Jangsun (; 3 March 1445 – 14 January 1462), of the Cheongju Han clan, was the first wife of Crown Prince Hwang (King Yejong), later the eighth monarch of Joseon, and the elder sister of Queen Gonghye. She died due to complications following childbirth, and was posthumously elevated to the position of queen upon the accession to the throne of her brother-in-law, King Seongjong.

Biography Early life The future Queen Jangsun was born during the reign of King Sejong, as the legitimate third daughter among one son and four daughters. Her father was Han Myeong-hoe, who would later become chief state councilor, and her mother was a lady from the Yeoheung Min clan. She also had eight brothers and three sisters of concubine birth.

The eldest among her sisters married the eldest son of Shin Suk-ju.

Another sister married the eldest son of Princess Jeonghyeon , King Sejong's third daughter.

Her only full-brother married a daughter of County Princess Biin , Grand Prince Hyoryeong's eldest daughter.

Her youngest sister married the future King Seongjong and became his first queen.

One of her nephews married Princess Gongsin , King Seongjong's fifth daughter.

On her paternal side, Lady Han was a second cousin once removed of Queen Jeonghyeon, a fourth cousin once removed of Queen Insu, and a fifth cousin of Queen Ansun.

Through her maternal line, she was a second cousin of Queen Jeongsun.

Marriage In 1460, at the age of 15, Lady Han married the 10-year-old Crown Prince Hwang (posthumously King Yejong). It is said her gentle attitude and upright demeanor made her a favorite of her father-in-law, King Sejo.

On 31 December 1461, she gave birth to her only child, a son named Yi Bun (이분), who would pass away shortly before his second birthday.

Death and aftermath Lady Han never recovered from childbirth and died two weeks later, more than six years before her husband's accession to the throne. She was buried within Gongneung , today part of the Samneung Cluster in Paju, Gyeonggi Province. Her younger sister, Queen Gonghye, was later buried in the same area.

King Sejo was saddened by the death of his daughter-in-law and conferred upon her the posthumous name Jangsun , defining her as gentle, generous, and beautiful ("jang"), and docile, benevolent, and compassionate ("sun"). After King Seongjong, her brother-in-law, as well as her husband's nephew and adopted son, took the throne in 1470, Lady Han was elevated to the position of queen.

Titles

During the reign of King Sejong : Lady, of the Cheongju Han clan Han Myeong-hoe's daughter Lady Han During the reign of King Sejo : Crown Princess (; from 10 May 1460) Crown Princess Jangsun (; from 1462) During the reign of King Seongjong : Queen Jangsun (; from unknown date)

Family

Father: Han Myeong-hoe , Internal Prince Sangdang (; 5 December 1415 – 7 December 1487) Mother: Internal Princess Consort Hwangnyeo , of the Yeoheung Min clan (?–1490) Sibling(s) Lady, of the Cheongju Han clan Lady, of the Cheongju Han clan Han Bo , Prince Nangseong (; 1447–1522) Han Songyi , Queen Gonghye (; 17 November 1456 – 9 May 1474) Han Bok Han Im Han Su Han Mok Han Seok Han Seo Han U Han On Lady, of the Cheongju Han clan Lady, of the Cheongju Han clan Lady, of the Cheongju Han clan Husband: King Yejong (; 23 January 1450 – 9 January 1470) Father-in-law: King Sejo (; 11 November 1417 – 2 October 1468) Mother-in-law: Queen Jeonghui , of the Papyeong Yun clan (; 25 December 1418 – 15 May 1483) Issue Yi Bun , Grand Prince Inseong (; 31 December 1461 – 4 December 1463)

Ancestry

In popular culture Portrayed by Park In-na in the 1994 KBS2 TV series Han Myung-hoi. Inspired a fictional crown princess portrayed by Han Chae-ah in the 2021 KBS2 TV series The King's Affection.