Empress Xiang [SEP] spouse
[{"answer": "Emperor Shenzong of Song", "provenance": [{"wikipedia_id": "33558260", "title": "Empress Xiang", "start_paragraph_id": 1, "start_character": 8, "end_paragraph_id": 1, "end_character": 120, "bleu_score": 0.8305389167974837, "meta": {}, "section": "Section::::Abstract."}]}]
Empress Xiang


palace affairs. She gave audiences and conferred with the government, expressed concerns that she was not suitable because she had difficulty in reading. She wrote a statement, in which she promised to step down from her position as soon as the funeral rituals of her late spouse was completed. She reported suspicions to Zeng Bu that she suspected the biological mother of Emperor Zhezong, Consort Zhu, of at least two plots for placing her other son, Prince Si, on the throne. Xiang also used her power as co-regent
1955893
Empress Xiang


Empress Xiang (欽聖皇后; 1047 – 1102) was a Chinese Empress consort of the Song Dynasty, married to Emperor Shenzong of Song. She acted as co-regent of China during the reign of her son, Emperor Huizong of Song, in 1100. Empress Xiang was elevated to the rank of Empress to Emperor Shenzong in 1068. She had only one child, a daughter Shuhuai who was born in 1067, and died in 1078. However, as the empress, she was the legal mother of the emperor’s heir
1955885
Empress Liu (Zhezong)


her empress. In 27 December 1100, Consort Liu was elevated to the position of empress, which was not approved by Empress Dowager Xiang and met with protests from several officials, as many blamed Liu for the witch trial and demotion of empress Meng. In 1100, Emperor Zhezong was succeed by his half-brother, Emperor Huizong of Song. He had his legal mother, the Dowager Empress Xiang, appointed his co-regent. Empress Xiang also used her power as co-regent to push her view, that Emperor
3706610
Empress Xiang


visited the audience hall of the Empress Dowager, repeated their subject and then adjusted to her words: in that case, the Empress Dowager regent had not been ritually treated as the ruler, and the measure was treated as temporary. Zeng Bu of the Council of State concluded that the latter arrangements were more appropriate in the case of the co-regency of Empress Xiang: he informed the Emperor, and they continued to inform Empress Xiang. She assured the Council that she had not been behind the wish to co-rule
1955891
Empress Meng


Emperor Huizong of Song. He had his legal mother, the Dowager Empress Xiang, appointed his co-regent. Xiang, who had always favoured Meng before Liu and opposed the deposition and banishment of Meng, returned the Imperial rank to Meng, granting her the title of Empress Dowager. Upon the death of her benefactor Empress Xiang in 1102, however, she was forced to return to the nunnery. Emperor Huizong abdicated in favour of his son Emperor Qinzong in 1126. In 1127, the capital of Kaifeng was captured by
1955926
Empress Xiang


, she and Consort Dowager Zhu selected the brides and concubines of the emperor’s brothers, prince Bi and prince Huizong. In 27 December 1100, Consort Liu was elevated to the position of empress, which was not approved by Xiang. When the Emperor died in 1100, the succession was not clear, and Empress Xiang called upon the officials of state, and selected the next heir to the throne. When her younger adoptive son, Emperor Huizong of Song, succeeded his brother on the throne at the age of seventeen in
1955888
Empress Zheng (Song dynasty)


Empress Zheng (1079–1131) was the empress of Emperor Huizong of Song. Zheng was born to a member of the gentry in Kaifeng. She served as a lady-in-waiting to Empress Xiang, who was the official mother of the future Emperor Huizong of Song. When Huizong was still only a prince, he lived outside the imperial palace and would often visit the empress, who instructed Zheng and another one of her ladies to wait upon him. In 1099, Empress Xiang arranged for him to marry Lady Wang.
2362299
Empress Xiang


to push her view, that Emperor Zhezong had done wrong by demoting Empress Meng in favor of Empress Liu. She declared, that the demotion had been forged, and that Meng should be given back the states of Empress, while Liu should bee stripped from hers. This led to a conflict with the council, who argued that an emperor could not change the status of his late brother's widow. The affairs ended with a compromise: on 23 June 1100, Xiang succeeded with having the status of empress returned to Meng
1955894
Empress Xiang


with her son, and that she accepted to be regent on the same terms as the Empress Cao. It was decided, that she would not appear in the Imperial audience chamber, nor would she be ritually celebrated as a ruler or referred to as such in the diplomatic reports; but that the Council of State would visit her in the Inner Eastern Gate every time they had visited the Emperor, and give her the same report of the affairs of state. During her co-reign, Empress Xiang was active foremost within
1955892
Empress Qian


City. When her spouse's only son, the future Chenghua Emperor, was deposed as heir apparent in 1452, he was sent to live with Empress Qian in conditions of physical hardship. In 1457, a coup-d'etat put her spouse back on the imperial thrown as the Tianshun Emperor, reinstating Empress Qian as the empress consort. Empress Qian had no children, and when the Zhengtong Emperor died in 1464, he was succeeded by the Chenghua Emperor. She became involved in a conflict with Empress Xiaosu, the biological mother
2361579
Empress Xiang


, but was prevented from stripping Liu of her title, resulting in Emperor Zhezong having two Empresses Dowager. The affair, however, also resulted in concern in the Council of State that the influence of Xiang was in danger of becoming to great, and that a rivaling power fraction could form around her. When the son of Emperor Huizong of Song had been born, the Council of State therefore pointed out to the emperor, that as he was now the father of a son, he was no longer in need of a
1955895
Empress Gao (Song dynasty)


daughters. In 1063, Emperor Yingzong succeeded Emperor Renzong, and Gao became Empress. In 1067, her spouse was succeeded by her son, Emperor Shenzong of Song, and she was named Empress dowager. Her tenure as empress consort and empress dowager was undistinguished, and she had no power or influence during the reign of her spouse or son. During her son Shenzong's reign, she opposed the reform policy of Wang Anshi and supported Sima Guang. Upon the death of her son Shenzong in 1085, her under age grandson
1955880
Empress Xiang


and successor, the future Emperor Zhezong of Song, born to Consort Zhu. She was also the legal mother of the future Emperor Huizong of Song, son of Consort Chen (d. 1085). In 1085, her stepson and adoptive son, Emperor Zhezong of Song, succeeded to the throne, until 1093 under the regency of her mother-in-law, Empress Dowager Gao. During the reign of Zhezong, Xiang was ceremoniously honoured as the legal mother of the Emperor. Reportedly, she had a long dislike toward
1955886
Empress Li Fengniang


-in-law threatened to have her executed for not taking proper care of the monarch. When her spouse recovered, she told him about the threat, and also that she suspected that the medicine his father had left him was poisoned. This is given as the reason to why Emperor Guangzong did not visit his own father's funeral in 1194, which was blamed on Empress Li and led the Empress Dowager Wu to force Guangzong to abdicate. After the abdication of her spouse, she was called "The Empress of the
2362612
Empress Wang (Huizong)


Empress Wang (1084–1108) was a Chinese Empress consort of the Song Dynasty, married to Emperor Huizong of Song. Wang came from the capital, and her father served as prefect. She was selected to be the primary consort of Prince Huizeng by his legal mother Dowager Empress Xiang in 1099. After the wedding, the Empress Dowager gave two concubines, Consort Zheng and Consort Wang, to prince Huizeng. When Huizeng succeeded his brother as emperor in 1100, Wang became his empress. Empress Wang gave birth to a daughter in
2362298
Empress Lü


). Liu Bang later renounced the truce and attacked Xiang Yu, eventually defeating the latter at the Battle of Gaixia in 202 BC and unifying China under his rule. Liu Bang proclaimed himself Emperor of China and established the Han Dynasty. He instated Lü Zhi as his empress and their son Liu Ying as crown prince. Even after Emperor Gaozu (Liu Bang)'s victory over Xiang Yu, there were still unstable areas in the empire, requiring the new government to launch military campaigns to pacify these regions thereafter. Gaozu placed
19075494
Empress Liu (Zhezong)


Regent Gao. Reportedly, he tolerated, and maybe even encouraged, Consort Liu, to be rude to empress Meng. Her mother-in-law, Dowager Empress Xiang, however, favoured empress Meng against her, though she later admitted, that both Meng and Liu had a temper and were both to blame for their infected rivalry, which caused several scenes at court. In 1096, a scandal occurred when empress Meng was accused of witchcraft. When her infant daughter became ill, the empress had asked her sister for
3706607
Empress Liu (Zhezong)


Zhezong had done wrong by demoting Empress Meng in favour of Empress Liu. She declared, that the demotion had been forged, and that Meng should be given back the states of Empress, while Liu should bee stripped from hers. This led to a conflict with the council, who argued that an emperor could not change the status of his late brother's widow. The affairs ended with a compromise: on 23 June 1100, Xiang succeeded with having the status of empress returned to Meng, but was prevented from stripping Liu
3706611
Empress Quan (Song dynasty)


known of Empress Quan during the reign of her spouse. The Emperor indulged in personal pleasure and trusted the affairs of state to his grand chancellor Jia Sidao. In August 1274, Emperor Duzong died one month after the Mongol invasion of China, and her son succeeded to the throne as emperor. Being four years old, a regency was appointed to handle the affairs of state, but Empress Quan was not appointed regent: instead, the position of regent was filled by the adoptive mother of her late spouse, the Grand Dowager
1955985
Empress Lu (Tang dynasty)


—Li Chongmao was made emperor, although Empress Wei retained power as empress dowager and regent. Princess Lu was created empress. Less than a month later, Emperor Zhongzong's sister Princess Taiping and nephew Li Longji the Prince of Linzi rose in rebellion and killed Empress Dowager Wei and Li Guo'er. Emperor Shang was subsequently reduced back to princely rank, and Li Longji's father Li Dan the Prince of Xiang became emperor (as Emperor Ruizong). Nothing further was mentioned about Empress Lu, although presumably she became Princess of Wen
8159739
Grand Empress Dowager Shangguan


. In 66 BC, Lady Xian revealed to her son and grandnephews that she had, indeed, murdered Empress Xu. In fear of what the emperor might do if he had actual proof, Lady Xian, her son, her grandnephews, and her sons-in-law formed a conspiracy to depose the emperor. Their plan was to ask Grand Empress Dowager Shangguan to invite Emperor Xuan's grandmother Lady Wang, Prime Minister Wei Xiang (魏相), and Empress Xu's father-in-law and the deceased Empress
16735143
Empress Xiang


the biological mother of the Emperor, Consort Dowager Zhu (1051 — 1102). She had a good relationship with her first daughter-in-law, Empress Meng, whom she considered educated in both literature and wifely manners, and she disapproved when Emperor Zhezong deposed Meng from the position of Empress after a witch trial in 1096. She later claimed, that the edict deposing the empress, which had been issued in her name as empress dowager, had been forged and that she had not even seen it. In 1099
1955887
Empress Xiang


child Emperor and Empress Dowager regent both sat together behind a screen in the audience chamber when the Council of State spoke to them, and the birthday of the Empress Dowager was ritually celebrated as that of the ruler and she was declared as such to the Liao state by diplomats. A different precedence was that of Emperor Yingzong of Song, who had not been a minor, but were the Empress Dowager Cao had been regent during his illness, during which the Council of State had formally called first at the Emperor, but then
1955890
Empress Dowager Bo


According to Chinese historical works (with the exception the "Book of Han", which tells a different version of her life), Lady Bo was, when she was young, the prettiest concubine of Wei Bao, the Prince of Wei. Wei Bao allied himself with Liu Bang to defeat Xiang Yu's force, but later betrayed Liu Bang by defecting to Xiang Yu's camp. Unlike other defectors who switched sides again after Liu Bang's final victory, Wei Bao remained loyal to Xiang Yu to the end. After
13513824
Empress Xiao'aizhe


Empress Zhang (1606–1644), posthumously known as Empress Xiao'aizhe, also called Empress Yi'an, was the empress consort of the Tianqi Emperor of the Chinese Ming dynasty. Empress Zhang was selected to be the primary spouse and empress of the emperor in 1621. Her original name is not known, nor is that of her mother. Her father was Zhang Guoji, who was elevated to the position of "Bo" (earl) of Taikang when she became empress. Empress Zhang, though young, was described as calm and straightforward
1886081
Empress Meng


, and maybe even encouraged, his favorite, Consort Liu, to be rude to Meng. Her mother-in-law, Dowager Empress Xiang, however, had a very good impression of her and a good relationship with her, and took her side against Liu, though she later admitted, that both Meng and Liu had a temper and were both to blame for their infected rivalry. In 1096, a scandal occurred when Empress Meng was accused of witchcraft. When her infant daughter became ill, the empress asked her
1955923
Empress Lü


area. This marked the beginning of a four-year power struggle for supremacy over China between Liu Bang and Xiang Yu, from 206 BC to 202 BC, known as the Chu–Han Contention. Xiang Yu initially took no action against Liu Bang's family. In the eighth lunar month, Liu Bang sent his followers Wang Xi (王吸) and Xue Ou (薛歐) to meet Wang Ling (王陵) at Nanyang and fetch his family. However Xiang Yu mobilised troops to Yangxia (陽夏) and prevented the
19075491
Emperor Hui of Jin


Zhao Xin (趙廞), a relative of Empress Jia, rebelled and tried to occupy Yi Province to be his own domain. He associated with Li Te and his brother Li Xiang (李庠), and they soon were able to take over Yi Province. However, he then became suspicious of the Li brothers' abilities, and he killed Li Xiang after Li Xiang suggested that he declare himself emperor. Li Te, in anger, took his troops and killed Zhao. Li then welcomed the new Jin governor Luo Shang
6885368
Empress Xu (Cheng)


exclusive status that Empress Xu had with regard to Emperor Cheng's affection, the officials also began to become concerned about the lack of an imperial heir. In 28 BC, the Confucian scholar and astrologer Liu Gengsheng (劉更生, later named Liu Xiang 劉向) submitted a report that suggested that Empress Xu's power be reduced and that the emperor spread his affection to other concubines. In response, Emperor Cheng reduced the budget of the empress' palace. She filed a formal objection with her husband, to which he made a
20248255
Zhang Renyuan


Zhongzong died suddenly—a death that traditional historians believed to be poisoning carried out by his powerful wife Empress Wei and daughter Li Guo'er the Princess Anle. His son by a concubine, Li Chongmao the Prince of Wen, was made emperor (as Emperor Shang). Empress Wei retained power as empress dowager and regent. Less than a month later, a coup led by Emperor Zhongzong's sister Princess Taiping and nephew Li Longji the Prince of Linzi (son of Li Dan, who was then Prince of Xiang) killed Empress
2966626
Su Gui


Zetian, and Li Guo'er could become crown princess. Meanwhile, however, Empress Wei was set to name another son of Emperor Zhongzong's, Li Chongmao the Prince of Wen, emperor, and under a will drafted for Emperor Zhongzong by Emperor Zhongzong's sister Princess Taiping and his concucbine Consort Shangguan Wan'er, Empress Wei would retain power as empress dowager and regent, but Li Dan, now the Prince of Xiang, would be co-regent. Empress Wei, with Emperor Zhongzong's death still kept a secret from the people
95764
Wu Zetian


655, nor is she properly known as "Wu Zetian", her regnal name, until 690, when she took the title "huangdi". Various Chinese titles have been translated into English as "empress", including "empress" in both the sense of empress consort and empress regnant. Generally, the monarch was male and his chief spouse was given a title such as "huanghou" (皇后), often translated as "empress" or more specific "empress consort". Upon the death of the emperor
4920789
Empress Zhang (Hongxi)


was posthumously enfeoffed as Count of Peng. In 1404, her spouse was made heir apparent and Zhang was elevated to crown princess (). She gave birth to 3 sons and a daughter. On 7 September 1424, her spouse ascended the throne as the Hongxi Emperor, and 29 October, she was made empress. She was described as wise, good and capable, with a great knowledge of all events both inside and outside of the palace, and was held in good confidence of the emperor, who allowed her to
1956042
Empress Zhou (Ming dynasty)


Empress Zhou (10 May 1611 – 24 April 1644), posthumously named Empress Xiaojielie, was a Chinese Empress consort of the Ming Dynasty, married to Chongzhen Emperor. She is commonly referred to as Empress Zhou. 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 political ambitious empress. She was elevated to the position of empress after the succession
1886039
Empress Hang


Empress Hang (1427-1456) was a Chinese Empress consort of the Ming Dynasty, married to the Jingtai Emperor. Hang was originally a concubine of prince Jingtai. When the elder brother of Jingtai was taken prisoner by the Mongols in 1449, Hang was promoted to Consort. Jingtai had no son with his primary spouse and empress. In May 1452, the emperor's son with Hang was declared heir to the throne, and Hang, now being the mother of the crown prince, was promoted to the position of empress
3760172
Deng Mengnü


Empress Deng Mengnü (鄧猛女) (died 165), also briefly known as Liang Mengnü (梁猛女) then as Bo Mengnü (薄猛女), was an empress during Han Dynasty. She was the second wife of Emperor Huan. Deng Mengnü's father Deng Xiang (鄧香) was a low level official in the imperial administration. (It is not clear under which emperor(s) he served.) He was a cousin of Empress Deng Sui and therefore a grandson of the statesman Deng Yu. Deng Mengnü's mother was named
11469924
Empress Wang Zhi


Empress Wang of Jing (孝景王皇后, 173 BC - 126 BC), also known by her birth name Wang Zhi (王娡) and by her title Lady Wang (), was an empress during the Han Dynasty. She was the second wife of Emperor Jing and the mother of Emperor Wu. Wang Zhi was born in 173 BC to Wang Zhong (王仲) and Zang Er (臧兒), who was a granddaughter of Zang Tu, the one-time King of Yan appointed by Xiang Yu until the fifth year
15427328
Empress Zheng (Song dynasty)


As a wedding present, Empress Xiang presented Zheng and the other lady-in-waiting, also called Wang, to him as concubines. In 1100, Huizong succeeded his brother as emperor. Huizong was not close to his primary wife, Empress Wang and Zheng competed with Consort Wang for his favour. Zheng was apparently studious and adept at music. Huizong had many additional favourites, including consorts Wei and Quai, several maids of Consort Zheng, and Consort Liu Mingda. However, Zheng is not described as having been jealous
2362300
Shangguan Wan'er


seize power and eventually take the throne and Li Guo'er to become crown princess. In the aftermath of Emperor Zhongzong's death, Empress Wei, who initially kept the death secret, tried to consolidate power, while Consort Shangguan and Princess Taiping were consulting each other in posthumously drafting a will for Emperor Zhongzong. Under their plan, Emperor Zhongzong's youngest son Li Chongmao the Prince of Wen would inherit the throne; Empress Wei would serve as empress dowager and regent, assisted by Li Dan the Prince of Xiang (the former Emperor
5915321
Chinese nobility


there has only been one reigning empress, the Empress Wu, whose reign occurred during (and actually caused) an interregnum of the Tang dynasty. However, there have been numerous cases in Chinese history where a woman was the actual power behind the imperial throne (see éminence grise). Hou, Empress, actually Empress Consort in English terms, was a title granted to an official primary spouse of the polygamous male Chinese Emperor, and for the mother of the Emperor, typically elevated to this rank of Empress Dowager, bearing
11363495
Empress Qian


mother-in-law promptly raised. The ransom was rejected in favour of holding on to the Zhengtong Emperor as hostage, which prompted the court to assign him the status of retired emperor and name his half-brother Zhu Qiyu emperor. Empress Qian was moved from the court to a separate palace to allow Empress Wang to take the title of Empress Consort. When her spouse was returned by the Mongols, arriving in Beijing on 19 September 1450, Empress Qian joined him under house arrest in a guarded section of the Imperial
2361578
Yuan Hao


taken much of the territory north of the Yellow River and claimed the title of Emperor of Qi. Less than two months after Yuan Hao was posted to Xiang Province, Emperor Xiaoming and Empress Dowager Hu, who had been restored as regent in 525, were in serious dispute over Emperor Xiaoming's displeasure at Empress Dowager Hu's overtolerance of corruption by her lover Zheng Yan (鄭儼) and Zheng's associate Xu Ge (徐紇). Emperor Xiaoming conspired with the general Erzhu Rong to have Erzhu advance on Luoyang to force Empress
5685487
Chinese nobility


1861–1908. Imperial Madams, ranking below Empress, aren't often distinguished in English from imperial Concubines, the next lower rank, but these were also titles of significance within the imperial household, and Imperial Madams might be translated as Consorts with the intention of distinguishing them from Empresses though all Empresses except the sole case of one Empress Regnant in Chinese history are technically Empress Consorts in English terms, primacy spouses of the Emperor Regnant who is actually invested with governmental rule. Zhou li, the Rites of Zhou, states that Emperors are
11363497
Empress Xiaoduanwen


marry Hong Taiji on 6 December 1634. When Hong Taiji conferred titles on his five primary spouses in August 1636, he instated Lady Borjigit as his empress. Following Hong Taiji's death on 21 September 1643, Lady Borjigit was honoured as "Mother Empress, Empress Dowager" by the Shunzhi Emperor, Hong Taiji's ninth son and successor. The emperor's birth mother, Bumbutai, was similarly honoured as "Holy Mother, Empress Dowager". Lady Borjigit died on 28 May 1649 and was interred in the Zhao Mausoleum.
13804753
Pauline de Bassano


Empresses Josephine and Marie-Louise. In 1853, her spouse was appointed chamberlain to Emperor Napoleon III of France, while she received to position of "dame d'honneur" to the Empress. The court of the newly wed empress had then just been formatted, and the ladies-in-waiting consisted of a "Grand-Maitresse" (Mistress of the Robes), a dame d'honneur and six (later twelve) "dame du palais", most of whom were chosen from among the acquaintances to the empress prior
11883889
Cao Shen


Qi's son, Cao Shi (曹時; died 131 BC), married Princess Pingyang, one of Emperor Jing's daughters. Cao Shi's son, Cao Xiang (曹襄; died 115 BC), married Princess Wei (a daughter of Emperor Wu and Empress Wei Zifu) and served as a general in the Han campaigns against the Xiongnu. Cao Xiang's son, Cao Zong (曹宗; died 91 BC), was implicated in a plot to overthrow Emperor Wu in 91 BC and was stripped off the marquis
1197107
Love Weaves Through a Millennium


Zhao Feiyan. While he was being persecuted, he accidentally time-travels two thousand years into the present due to a mysterious jade pendant. He meets and falls in love with actress Lin Xiangxiang (Zheng Shuang), who landed a role as Empress Xu in a historical drama. However, for the greater good, Gong Ming was insistent on heading back into the past to save the deposed queen. He finds out that he could not return to the present where Xiang Xiang is. Will they forever be apart, or
20050916
Huan Wen


favored, Xiang Long (相龍), Ji Hao (計好), and Zhu Lingbao (朱靈寶). (The rumors also implied a homosexual relationship between Emperor Fei and Xiang, Ji, and Zhu.) He then went to the capital and intimidated Emperor Kang's wife, Empress Dowager Chu, to issue an edict that he had drafted deposing Emperor Fei. Emperor Fei was reduced to the rank of Prince of Donghai, and then further to Duke of Haixi, and put under heavy guard. Huan made his granduncle
4205509
Empress Meng


the heir of the Song dynasty. Meng was selected to become the primary spouse and empress of Emperor Zhezong by the Empress Dowager Regent Gao, and the wedding was conducted in 1092. She came from a "literati family", was very well educated, and from her introduction to court, she was taught "wifely etiquette". The relationship between Meng and Zhezong was not a good one, and Zhezong resented her, possible because she had been chosen for him by the Empress Dowager Regent Gao. Reportedly, he tolerated
1955922
Empress Quan (Song dynasty)


Empress Quan (1241–1309) (), was a Chinese Empress consort of the Song Dynasty, married to Emperor Duzong of Song. Quan was selected to be the primary spouse and empress of the future Emperor Duzong of Song in 1261, because of family connections (she was the great niece of emperor Lizong's mother). She gave birth to two sons, one of whom died early, and the other one, the future Emperor Gong of Song, was named heir to the throne and crown prince. Not much is
1955984
Empress Dowager Ci'an


faithful to the memory of one's husband", i.e., by remaining chaste after his death and not remarrying). In late June or early July 1852, she was elevated to "Noble Consort Zhen". On 24 July 1852, she was officially designated as the Empress. As Empress, she was put in charge of the emperor's harem. Some sources claim that Lady Niohuru was already designated as the Xianfeng Emperor's primary spouse after the death of her predecessor, Empress Xiaodexian. Imperial customs required that the emperor
20655795
Empress Li Fengniang


Empress Li Fengniang (1144 – 23 July 1200) was a Chinese Empress consort of the Song Dynasty, married to Emperor Guangzong of Song. She is known as the "de facto" ruler of the Song dynasty Empire during the reign of her spouse. Empress Li was born as "Fengniang", daughter of general Li Dao, a military commissioner from Anyang. According to legend, a Daoist priest and matchmaker one day predicted that she was destined to be the mother of the people. After having made the prediction,
2362608
Wei Zifu


Wei Zifu (; died 91 BC), posthumously known as Empress Xiaowu Si (孝武思皇后) or Wei Si Hou (衛思后, "Empress Wei the Thoughtful"), was an empress during ancient China's Han dynasty. She was the second wife of the famous Emperor Wu and his spouse of 49 years, and stayed as his empress for 38 years, the second longest in Chinese history (behind only the 42-year reign of Empress Wang, the wife of Ming Dynasty's Wanli Emperor, who came over 1,600 years later)
2923775
Tan Yuling


Changchun). On 6 April she married Puyi in the Hsinking palace and was given the title of Imperial Concubine Xiang. She became very close to Puyi after their marriage and in time, she became Noble Consort Xiang and became the manager of the Imperial Harem, as Empress Xiaokemin was not in favour anymore. Yuling reviled the Japanese. Tan died in 1942 while being treated for cystitis, in less than a day after her Japanese doctor gave her an injection. The circumstances surrounding her death were suspicious because Tan was said to
18628833
Empress Lü


Han forces from advancing. In the summer of 205 BC, Liu Bang took advantage of the situation when Xiang Yu was occupied with suppressing rebellions in the Qi kingdom to attack and capture Western Chu's capital Pengcheng (present-day Xuzhou, Jiangsu). Xiang Yu immediately withdrew from Qi and launched a counterattack, defeating Liu Bang's forces at Suishui (睢水). Lü Zhi and Liu Bang's family were captured by Chu forces and held hostage. During this period of time, Lü Zhi started an illicit affair with
19075492
Empress Lü


Shen Yiji (審食其), one of Liu Bang's followers who was also held captive together with her. In the autumn of 203 BC, Liu Bang and Xiang Yu came to a temporary reconciliation, known as the Treaty of Hong Canal, which divided China into west and east under their Han and Western Chu domains respectively. As part of their agreement, Xiang Yu released Lü Zhi and Liu Bang's family and returned them to Liu. Lü Zhi was given the title of "Queen Consort of Han" (漢王妃
19075493
Empress Chen (Longqing)


Empress Chen (died 1596) was a Chinese Empress consort of the Ming Dynasty, married to the Longqing Emperor. The future emperor Longqing married Lady Chen after the death of his first primary spouse and son. Upon his succession to the throne in 1567, he declared Chen to be his empress. In 1569, however, she lost favor with the emperor and was moved to a separate palace. She became ill after her move, and was not given proper care. When an official pointed this out to the emperor,
1886119
Empress Fang


chance to experience a sexual encounter with the emperor was therefore past, which reportedly caused her great sorrow and emotional loss. In 28 January 1534, nine days after the deposition of Empress Zhang, Fang was nevertheless chosen by the emperor to succeed as empress consort of the imperial court. The choice was made upon her because she supported him in his feud with his officials concerning the rituals of the imperial ancestors. Empress Fang was described as the favorite spouse of the emperor, and was known for having saved his life during the
1886124
Empress Zhang (Hongxi)


Empress Zhang (1379–20 November 1442), was a Chinese Empress consort of the Ming Dynasty, married to the Hongxi Emperor. She first served as the Empress Dowager after the accession of the Xuande Emperor. She later served as the Regent of China during the minority of the reign of her grandson, Emperor Yingzong of Ming, from 1435 until 1442. Zhang was from Northern Shanxi. She was the daughter of Zhang Qi. She became the first spouse of the future Hongxi Emperor in 1396. On her marriage, her father
1956041
Empress Xiang


1100, he expressed a wish to the Council of State that his mother was to act as his regent. Because he was seventeen years old and therefore no longer regarded as a minor, his wish caused some debate among the ministers as to how this could be arranged, and to find a precedence case to legitimatize it. On two occasions, and Empress Dowager had ruled during the minority of an Emperor: in the case of Emperor Renzong of Song, and in the case of Emperor Zhezong of Song, during which the
1955889
Shunzhi Emperor


Although only nineteen empresses and consorts are recorded for the Shunzhi Emperor in the Aisin Gioro genealogy made by the Imperial Clan Court, burial records show that he had at least thirty-two of them. Twelve bore him children. There were two empresses in his reign, both relatives of his mother the empress dowager. After the 1644 conquest, imperial consorts and empresses were usually known by their titles and by the name of their patrilineal clan. Eleven of the Shunzhi Emperor's 32 spouses bore him a total of fourteen children,
18517550
Tang Xiujing


Wei and daughter Li Guo'er the Princess Anle. His son by a concubine, Li Chongmao the Prince of Wen, was named emperor (as Emperor Shang), but Empress Wei retained power as empress dowager and regent. Less than a month later, she and Li Guo'er were killed in a coup led by Emperor Zhongzong's sister Princess Taiping and nephew Li Longji the Prince of LInzi (a son of Li Dan the Prince of Xiang, the former Emperor Ruizong). Emperor Shang was deposed, and Li Dan returned to
12019777
Liu Xiangdao


imperial princes, and therefore secretary general was actually the official in charge of the capital. Also that year, he was in charge of the corruption investigation against the powerful chancellor Li Yifu. In 664, he was made "You Xiang" (右相), the head of the legislative bureau—a post considered one for a chancellor. Around the new year 665, when fellow chancellor Shangguan Yi failed in his bid to persuade Emperor Gaozong to depose his second wife Empress Wu (later known as Wu Zetian), Empress
15504239
Su Ting


retained power as empress dowager and regent. Less than a month later, Empress Wei and Li Guo'er were killed in a coup led by Emperor Zhongzong's sister Princess Taiping and nephew Li Longji the Prince of Linzi. Li Longji's father Li Dan the Prince of Xiang, himself a former emperor, was initially named regent, and in the aftermaths of the coup, there were many commission and demotion orders to be written, with Su Ting in charge of drafting them. He was reading them so quickly to his scribe that
17564863
Shangguan Wan'er


his behalf secretly, and Emperor Zhongzong instead made Cui the prefect of Xiang Prefecture (襄州, roughly modern Xiangfan, Hubei). (Zheng, who had been set to be reduced to commoner rank and exiled to Ji Prefecture (吉州, roughly modern Ji'an, Jiangxi), was instead made the military advisor to the prefect of Jiang Prefecture.) In fall 710, Emperor Zhongzong died suddenly—a death that traditional historians assert to be a poisoning carried out by Empress Wei and Li Guo'er, to allow Empress Wei to
5915320
Xie Daoqing


Xie Daoqing (謝道清; 1210–1283) was a Chinese Empress consort of the Song Dynasty, married to Emperor Lizong of Song. She was the regent of Southern Song China for Emperor Duzong in 1264, and for Emperor Gong of Song in 1274–76. Xie Daoqing came from a family of court officials: she was the daughter of Xie Qubo, Prince of Wei, and granddaughter of: . She was selected as the spouse and empress of Emperor Lizong of Song by the Empress Yang (Song dynasty). She had no surviving
1955978
Deng Mengnü


family name be changed to Bo (薄). Only later did the emperor find out that she was actually Deng Xiang's daughter, and therefore had her original family name of Deng restored. A number of her uncles and cousins were promoted to important positions but not given much real power. For a while, Emperor Huan greatly favored the beautiful Empress Deng. However, his affection was not undivided, and he had a large number of other favorites, including Consorts Guo and Tian. Empress Deng became very arrogant and jealous
11469928
Wei Sili


Zhongzong's sister Princess Taiping and concubine Consort Shangguan Wan'er initially drafted, apparently as a compromise, Emperor Zhongzong's brother Li Dan the Prince of Xiang (the former Emperor Ruizong) would have been made coregent, but the plan was opposed by Empress Dowager Wei's cousin Wei Wen and another chancellor, Zong Chuke, and Li Dan was not made coregent. Less than a month, Princess Taiping and Li Dan's son Li Longji the Prince of Linzi led a coup and killed Empress Wei and Li Guo'er. During the subsequent
12554332
Cui Shi


and regent. Less than a month later, a coup led by Emperor Zhongzong's sister Princess Taiping and nephew Li Longji the Prince of Linzi killed Empress Wei and Li Guo'er. Li Longji's father Li Dan the Prince of Xiang, himself a former emperor, was made emperor (as Emperor Ruizong), displacing Emperor Shang, who was demoted back to being Prince of Wen. After Emperor Ruizong took the throne, the chancellors commissioned by Empress Dowager Wei were generally demoted, and Cui Shi was demoted to be the prefect
4157385
Wei Wen


Taiping and concubine Consort Shangguan Wan'er, Emperor Zhongzong's son by another concubine, Li Chongmao would be named emperor. Empress Wei would serve as empress dowager and regent, while Emperor Zhongzong's younger brother Li Dan the Prince of Xiang, himself a former emperor, would serve as coregent; Consort Shangguan subsequently formalized this in a will she drafted posthumously for Emperor Zhongzong. Wei Wen and another chancellor, Zong Chuke, however, opposed this plan on the grounds that this would require her and Li Dan to frequently confer, which
6050927
Empress Dowager Xu


people following him on the trek to Luoyang, he might mutiny as well. Emperor Zhuangzong therefore issued orders to eunuch Xiang Yansi (向延嗣) to have Wang and his household put to death. It was said that as Empress Dowager Xu was to be executed, she cried out in cursing Emperor Zhuangzong, "My son surrendered an empire to you but could not avoid having his clan slaughtered. You abandoned your faith and your righteousness, and I know that you will soon suffer disaster as well!" (Her curse came
6463061
Liu Youqiu


(as Emperor Shang), and Empress Wei retained power as empress dowager and regent. She viewed Emperor Zhongzong's brother Li Dan the Prince of Xiang and sister Princess Taiping as threats, and considered killing them. Meanwhile, Princess Taiping and Li Dan's son Li Longji the Prince of Linzi heard news of this, and therefore considered acting first. They, along with Princess Taiping's son Xue Chongjian (薛崇簡), Zhong Shaojing, Wang Chongye (王崇曄), Liu, and Ma Sizong (麻嗣宗), planned
8869449
Li Jiao (Tang dynasty)


crown princess. For the time, however, Emperor Zhongzong's son Li Chongmao the Prince of Wei, also by a concubine, was made emperor (as Emperor Shang). Empress Wei retained power as empress dowager and regent, and she, while consolidating her power, were apprehensive about Emperor Zhongzong's brother Li Dan the Prince of Xiang, himself a former emperor, and his sister Princess Taiping. Li Jiao made a secret proposal to her to have Li Dan's sons sent out of the capital to be prefectural officials
9247837
Empress Li Fengniang


became displeased with her and asked her to act in a more submissive way, such as the Empress Dowager Wu. Li refused to submit, however, and there are several stories illustrating how she came to dominate her husband. In 1189, her spouse succeeded to the throne as Emperor Guangzong of Song. Empress Li Fengniang became notorious in Chinese history for being ruthless and shrewd, and for ruling the state through her husband, who became known a "henpecked weakling" dominated by his wife. During his reign, it was
2362610
Sophia (empress)


Aelia Sophia (c. 530 – c./aft. 601) was the Empress consort of Justin II of the Byzantine Empire, and regent during the incapacity of her spouse from 573 until 578. She was specifically interested in economic matters and was involved in financial matters during Justin's reign. According to the "Ecclesiastic History" of John of Ephesus, Sophia was a niece of Theodora, the Empress consort of Justinian I. John of Ephesus did not specify the identities of her parents. According to the Secret History of Procopius, Theodora had
5056731
Zaiyi


layer of familial ties with the Guangxu Emperor: His wife, Jingfang of the Yehenara clan, was the third daughter of Guixiang (桂祥), Empress Dowager Cixi's younger brother. Guixiang's second daughter, Jingfen, was the Empress Consort of the Guangxu Emperor. However, the "Genealogy of the Aisin Gioro Family" (愛新覺羅宗譜) does not confirm that Prince Duan's wife was Jingfang, Empress Dowager Cixi's niece. Prince Duan's primary spouse was the daughter of Shaochang (紹昌) from the Irgen-Gioro
7778846
Theodora (6th century)


Theodora (; Greek: Θεοδώρα; c. 500 – 28 June 548) was empress of the Eastern Roman Empire by marriage to Emperor Justinian I. She was one of the most influential and powerful of the Eastern Roman empresses, albeit from a humble background. Some sources mention her as empress regnant with Justinian I as her co-regent. Along with her spouse, she is a saint in the Eastern Orthodox Church, commemorated on November 14. The main historical sources for her life are the works of her contemporary Procopius. The historian
8042620
Emperor Gaozong of Tang


that another younger brother, Li Dan the Prince of Xiang, had the most honored appearance of all. Knowing that Li Xian was fearful of her, Empress Wu had the North Gate Scholars author teachings on filial piety to give to Li Xian, and also personally rebuked him, further causing him to be alarmed. When Ming was assassinated in 679, Empress Wu suspected Li Xian of carrying out the assassination. She had a report made to Emperor Gaozong that accused Li Xian of assassinating Ming. When the officials Xue Yuanchao,
18914361
Emperor Shang of Tang


later, believing that Empress Dowager Wei would act against them, Emperor Zhongzong's sister Princess Taiping and nephew Li Longji the Prince of Linzi rose in rebellion, killing Empress Dowager Wei and Li Guo'er. Li Longji's father Li Dan the Prince of Xiang, himself a former emperor, became regent instead, and the popular sentiment at the time called for Li Dan to return to the throne. When eunuchs and ladies in waiting attending to the young Emperor Shang requested that one of the coup leaders who became a chancellor immediately after
21606143
Zhu Qinming


he shook his obese body, his head, and rolled his eyes around, drawing laughter from Emperor Zhongzong but secret disgust from other officials. In summer 710, Emperor Zhongzong died suddenly—a death that traditional historians believed to be a poisoning carried out by Empress Wei and Li Guo'er. Soon, though, Empress Wei was overthrown in a coup led by Emperor Zhongzong's sister Princess Taiping and his nephew Li Longji the Prince of Linzi. Emperor Zhongzong's brother Li Dan the Prince of Xiang, himself a former emperor,
21817040
Yuan Xie


Xianwen except Tuoba Xiang (拓拔詳) the Prince of Beihai. His mother was Consort Pan, who died shortly after giving birth to him. In 476, his father Emperor Xianwen (who was then retired emperor after having passed the throne to Emperor Xiaowen in 471) died as well, probably having been poisoned by Tuoba Xie's step-grandmother Empress Dowager Feng, who then assumed regency over Emperor Xiaowen as grand empress dowager. Tuoba Xie was considered studious and well-mannered in his youth, and was much favored by
6965732
Empress Cao (Song dynasty)


in-law. In 1063, her adoptive son, Emperor Yingzong, succeeded spouse as Emperor. Shortly after his succession, however, he became severely ill, and the officials asked her to govern as regent during his illness. Empress Dowager Cao accepted and ruled China as regent for a little over a year. She was cautioned with the bad example of Empress Liu, who was said to have favored her relatives in politics and usurped Imperial rituals for herself, and Cao was careful not to do this during her regency.
1955865
Emperor Ling of Han


劉淑) were also formerly Marquis of Jiedu Village. His great-grandfather, Liu Kai (劉開), the Prince of Hejian (河間王), was the sixth son of Emperor Zhang, the third emperor of the Eastern Han dynasty. His mother, Lady Dong, was Liu Chang's formal spouse. When Emperor Huan died in 168 without a son to succeed him, his empress, Empress Dou, became empress dowager, and she examined the genealogy of the imperial clan to choose a candidate to be the next emperor
50225
Maria Josepha of Austria


of Poland rather than having Frederick Christian succeed his father on both thrones, and she prevented Frederick Christian and his spouse from visiting Poland, thus preventing them from making connections there. She undermined any attempts of Frederick Christian to found a power base of his own before the death of his father, and among other things prevented a meeting between him and his spouse with Empress Maria Theresa of Bohemia in 1754. During the War of the Austrian Succession in 1740, she claimed the throne on behalf of her spouse. She relinquished her
9561872
Wenxiu


Puyi, who was encouraged to choose his empress from among them. Puyi himself claims that he in fact chose Wenxiu as his empress rather than Wanrong. However, his choice was not approved of because of a conflict among his predecessor's widows, who had different favorites among the candidates. When the time came for Puyi to marry, Consort Jin (Lady Tatara) and Dowager Consort Jingyi (敬懿太妃) had an argument over who should be the empress (the emperor's primary spouse). Lady Tatara favoured Wanrong while Jinyi
18628770
Consort kin


The consort kin () is the Chinese kin of, or a group related to an empress dowager or a spouse of a Chinese dynastic ruler or a warlord. The leading figure of the clan was either a (usually male) sibling, cousin, or parent of the empress or consort. Consort kins can be seen as a manifestation of nepotism in Chinese imperial politics. While some were competent, only relying on their female relatives for their initial audiences with the emperor and then proving their worth at their positions (e.g. Wei
7259673
Magyal Dongkar


teacher Padmasambhava come to Tibet for help. Trisong Detsen received empowerment from Padmasambhava, in turn, he gave one of his spouses named Yeshe Tsogyal to Padmasambhava as "dakini" (see also "Karmamudrā"). The emperor's decision was strongly opposed by many nobles, including the empress Magyal Dongkar, and the famous general Nganlam Takdra Lukhong. They thought it was "absolutely ridiculous": Padmasambhava occupied the emperor's spouse, and he would occupied the emperor's throne next time. In response, the emperor hosted a
4077177
Spirit spouse


this man's son "was seduced by the wild spirit woman he saw and entered into a "spirit marriage" ("ole marapu")" with her, she becoming "his "spirit wife" ("ariwyei marapu")". China—"King Xiang (Hsiang; third century B.C.E) is said to have dreamt of a tryst with a goddess on Wu Shan (Witch's Mountain), with the goddess seizing the initiative." In another translation, "Witch's Mountain" is "Shamanka Mountain".
4774481
Ceres (mythology)


some coinage shows Claudius' mother Antonia as an Augusta, wearing the "corona spicea". The relationship between the reigning emperor, empress and Ceres was formalised in titles such as Augusta mater agrorum ("The august mother of the fields) and "Ceres Augusta". On coinage, various emperors and empresses wear her "corona spicea", showing that the goddess, the emperor and his spouse are conjointly responsible for agricultural prosperity and the all-important provision of grain. A coin of Nerva (reigned AD 96–98)
1855848
List of Roman and Byzantine Empresses


any sort of Roman titles and the claimants that clearly made the most point by using the word "Roman" in their title, the Holy Roman Empresses and the Queens of the Romans, ceased their claim upon the dissolution the empire in 1806. Currently the consorts of five of these states are pretenders in their own countries, themselves, and the current Queen of Spain claims no Roman titles. The status of the current pretenders to the Byzantine successor states of Trebizond, Epirus, and Nicaea are unclear much less their spouses;
4345295
Songgotu


Songgotu (Manchu: ; ; 1636 – 1703) was a minister during the reign of the Kangxi Emperor in the Qing Dynasty. He was an uncle of the emperor's primary spouse, Empress Xiaochengren of the Hešeri clan, who died during childbirth. He was also the son of Sonin, one of the four regents appointed to assist the young Kangxi Emperor during his minority. As Empress Xiaochengren's paternal uncle, he was also therefore, the great-uncle of Yinreng, who was crown prince throughout most of the Kangxi
13804657
Zhang Bangchang


of the Song Dynasty, was installed as emperor of the new dynasty. He refused to wear the formal clothing of the emperor outside of his encounters with Jin officials. The offer of enthronement was too attractive for Zhang to resist, but he had reservations about his new role. Jiankang, modern Nanjing, became the capital of Chu. The support of Empress Dowager Yuanyou, who was dismissed as Empress by her former spouse Emperor Zhezong, was enlisted to bolster the legitimacy of the puppet government. Unfortunately, Da Chu did not
14849740
Da Chu


. Zhang, a former prime minister of the Song Dynasty, was installed emperor of the new dynasty. He refused to wear the formal clothing of the emperor outside of his encounters with Jin officials. The offer of enthronement was too attractive for Zhang to resist, but he had reservations about his new role. Jiankang, modern Nanjing, became the capital of Chu. The support of Empress Dowager Yuanyou, who was dismissed as Empress by her former spouse Emperor Zhezong, was enlisted to bolster the legitimacy of the puppet government.
18275972
Maria Choglokova


maternal first cousin of Empress Elizabeth. In 1742, she married Nikolai Naumovich Choglokov (1718-1754). She had married for love, was thus faithful to her spouse without difficulty and gave birth regularly - she was to have four daughters and four sons during her marriage. After the marriage of Grand Duke Peter to Catherine in 1745, Choglokova was appointed chief lady-in-waiting and mistress of the household of the Grand Duchess in succession to Maria Rumyantseva, and her spouse was given the equivalent position of Chamberlain to
6384379
Alexander I of Russia


Frederick William III that the marriage, a political match devised by his grandmother, Catherine the Great, regrettably proved to be a misfortune for him and his spouse. Their two children died young. Their common sorrow drew the spouses closer together. Towards the close of his life their reconciliation was completed by the wise charity of the Empress in sympathising deeply with him over the death of his beloved daughter Sophia Naryshkina, the daughter of his mistress Maria Naryshkina, with whom he had a relationship from 1799 until 1818. In 1809,
6490459
Women in Church history


settled with the execution of Mary in 1587. The religion of an heir or monarch's spouse complicated intermarriage between royal houses through coming centuries. Consorts of the Holy Roman Emperors were given the title of Holy Roman Empress. The throne was reserved for males, though women such as Theophanu and Maria Theresa of Austria, controlled the power and served as de facto Empresses regnant. The powerful Maria Theresa acquired her right to the throne of the Habsburg Monarchy by means of the Pragmatic Sanction of 1713, allowing for female succession - but
14156084
Eleonora Gonzaga (1630–1686)


, the marriage was a happy one. The active and sweet nature of the young Empress helped her gain the sympathy of all members of the Imperial family. She established an excellent relationship with all her stepchildren. She learned German, and the Emperor Italian. Together they participated in religious and secular ceremonies. Genuine piety of both spouses did not prevent them from patronizing literature and music activities, like visits to theaters or hunting, which was one of the passions of the Empress. In her portrait by Frans Luycx, Eleonora is
18857679
Guangxu Emperor


name, "Guangxu", means "glorious succession". Zaitian was the second son of Yixuan (Prince Chun), and his primary spouse Yehenara Wanzhen, a younger sister of Empress Dowager Cixi. On 12 January 1875, Zaitian's cousin, the Tongzhi Emperor, died without a son to succeed him. Breaking the imperial convention that a new emperor must always be of a generation after that of the previous emperor, candidates were considered from the generation of the Tongzhi Emperor. Empress Dowager Ci'an suggested choosing one of Prince
19805056
Empress Zhu (Song dynasty)


, as well as his predecessor Emperor Huizong and most of the Imperial family and court, over 3000 people, was captured and exiled to Manchuria in what was called the Jingkang Incident. They were first taken to the Jurchen capital, many of them dying on the way. The Imperial consorts, concubines, palace women and eunuchs who were taken captured, were distributed among the Jurchen as slaves. Her father-in-law were allowed to keep five of his spouses, including his empress, because they were too old to
2362605
Anna of Tyrol


and Queen of Germany in Frankfurt on 15 June 1612, two days after her husband, re-assuming the tradition of the coronation of emperors' wives. She was the first crowned Empress since Eleanor of Portugal. Anna was also crowned Queen of Hungary on 25 March 1613 in Pressburg and Queen of Bohemia on 10 January 1616 in Prague. Called the "Good-natured and loving Empress", she had a great influence over her husband, jointly with Matthias' mistress Susana Wachter. Contemporaries called both spouses the "Working
7159484