Grand Prince Geumseong Yi Yu (錦城大君 李瑜, 14 May 1426 (28th day of 3rd lunar month) – 16 November 1457 (21st day of 10th lunar month)) was a prince, civil official, military officer, and politician of early [[Joseon]]. He was a child of [[Sejong the Great]], the seventh son and sixth son by a secondary
Born~Died 1426 ~ Nov 7, 1457Last edited Oct 15, 2026, 2:51 PM
Grand Prince Geumseong Yi Yu (錦城大君 李瑜, 14 May 1426 (28th day of 3rd lunar month) – 16 November 1457 (21st day of 10th lunar month)) was a prince, civil official, military officer, and politician of early Joseon. He was a child of Sejong the Great, the seventh son and sixth son by a secondary wife of Sejong of Joseon, who pursued the Danjong restoration movement. His mother was Queen Soheon.
In 1433 (Sejong 15), he was enfeoffed as Grand Prince Geumseong. After his coming-of-age ceremony in 1437, in June of that year, by order of Sejong, he was adopted as the ritual heir of Grand Prince Bangseok, the eighth son of Taejo (Grand Prince Uian). In 1445, by order of Sejong, he supervised the manufacture of firearms together with Grand Prince Imyeong.
At his place of exile in Sunheung, he planned to raise a righteous army together with the magistrate of Sunheung, Yi Bo-heum, to pursue the restoration of Danjong. However, he was betrayed by a government slave, and he was executed at his place of exile.
After his death, he was rehabilitated during the reign of Sukjong, and he was added to the Record of Those Enshrined with Royal Sacrifices (御定配食錄). His personal name was Yu (瑜), his pen name was Seungeunjeong (承恩亭), his family seat was Jeonju (全州), and his was Jeongmin (貞愍). He is one of the .
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He was born on the 28th day of the 3rd lunar month of 1426 (Sejong 8) as the sixth son of Sejong and Queen Soheon, and he was raised by Consort Ui of the Gwon clan, a secondary consort of Taejong. In the first month of 1433 (Sejong 15), he was enfeoffed as Grand Prince Geumseong, and three years later, in the fourth month of 1436 (Sejong 18), he entered the Seonggyungwan together with his elder brother Grand Prince Gwangpyeong. He received the rank of Heungnok Daebu. Beyond this, no records of his childhood remain. No records of his original name or courtesy name remain either.
Then, in the second month of 1437 (Sejong 19), when he was 12 years old, he married the daughter of Choe Sa-gang (崔士康), then Chamchan, and he later had a son, Yi Maeng-han (李孟漢). In the sixth month of the same year, by order of Sejong, he was adopted as the ritual heir of Grand Prince Uian, the eighth son of Taejo. Afterward, he left the palace and established a shrine to Grand Prince Uian at his private residence.
In the sixth month of 1440 (Sejong 22), he at one point contracted smallpox and nearly died. Sejong sent court physicians to treat him, and while also keeping the Yeongchumun gate open, he frequently asked the physicians about his condition. On the 21st day of the sixth month, when his illness was completely cured, Sejong the Great personally bestowed rewards on the palace attendants who had treated him.
Years as a prince
Sejong favored him and continued to stay at his residence or move there. In the sixth month of 1440 (Sejong 22), he at one point contracted smallpox and was in danger of his life.1 However, he miraculously recovered, and Sejong greatly rewarded the physicians and those involved in his treatment.2
The King, delighted at the recovery of Grand Prince Geumseong, gave a horse and five gyeol of fields to the eunuch Choe Seup (崔濕), who had attended him; added a rank to Kim Chung (金忠), Kim Yeon (金衍), and Jeon Gyun (田畇), each with five gyeol of fields; granted an official post to Lee Hae (李海); and also gave a saddled horse and five gyeol of fields to the physician Noh Jung-rye (盧重禮); added a rank and gave a horse and five gyeol of fields to Bae Sang-mun (裴尙文); gave a set of clothing each to Yang Hong-su (楊弘遂), Jeon In-gwi (全仁貴), Jeon Sun-ui (全循義), and Kim Ji (金智); Park Yeon-saeng (朴延生) was promoted by one rank, and Yeon-saeng was the husband of the Grand Prince's wet nurse. Noh Go-heon (盧高憲), the nephew of Jung-rye, was also promoted by one rank.2
In 1444 and 1445, Sejong, being ill, recuperated at the private residence of Grand Prince Geumseong. In 1445, he received Sejong's order through the Seungjeongwon and, together with Grand Prince Imyeong, supervised the manufacture of firearms. In the tenth month of 1449 (Sejong 31), when Sejong was bedridden, he went to the prince's residence, stayed there for two months, and later moved to the private residence of Grand Prince Yeongeung.
He was a Buddhist and also made donations to temples. In 1452 (Munjong 2), when the illness of Munjong became critical, a plan was made to dispatch him to a temple to pray for his recovery, but it was canceled midway. In 1452, when Danjong ascended the throne, he was summoned to Sajeongjeon by the newly enthroned Danjong together with his elder brother Grand Prince Suyang. At this time, he was personally granted items by Danjong and pledged to assist the king from his side. That same year, Grand Prince Suyang summoned Grand Prince Geumseong, Grand Prince Hwaui, and Grand Prince Gyeyang, and then severely whipped and beat Yi Hyeon-ro (李賢老). He said, "Yi Hyeon-ro will surely cause trouble in the future, and I am greatly worried. You should all be aware of this." However, in 1453, Grand Prince Suyang, harboring an ambition to seize power, colluded with Han Myeong-hoe, Sin Sook-ju, and others, purged Grand Prince Anpyeong, and eliminated Kim Jong-seo and other ministers who assisted Danjong. Grand Prince Geumseong opposed his elder brother's actions and resolved to protect his nephew.
Conflict with Grand Prince Suyang and exile
Because he took the side of supporting his nephew Danjong when Danjong ascended the throne, he incurred the resentment of his elder brother Grand Prince Suyang (Sejo).
In the first month of 1455 (Danjong 2), the Chief State Councillor, Grand Prince Suyang, and other senior ministers impeached him, using as a pretext that members of the royal family had held an archery contest at his residence.3
Hwaui Gun (和義君) Yi Yeong (李瓔), Choe Yeong-son (崔泳孫), Kim Ok-gyeom (金玉謙), and others gathered at the residence of Grand Prince Geumseong (錦城大君)3021) Yi Yu (李瑜), held an archery feast (射宴)3022), and concealed it. Furthermore, Yi Yeong committed adultery with Cho Yo-gaeng (楚腰輊), a concubine of Grand Prince Pyeongwon. This may be used as a pretext for punishment, but the concealment cannot be exposed. Please exile Yi Yeong to a place outside the capital, and confiscate the official certificate (告身) of Yi Yu.3
Thus, in the second month of that year, he was stripped of his official certificate and an order of exile was issued,4 but he was judged innocent and had his official certificate returned.5 In 1455 (Danjong 3), he was exiled to Sangnyeong County on the charge of forming factions and colluding with warriors to plot rebellion, as instructed by Grand Prince Suyang; shortly afterward, his place of exile was moved to Gwangju County in Gyeonggi Province.
It is also recorded in the Veritable Records that he was close to Lady Hye of the Yang clan, a secondary consort of Sejong who had raised Danjong when he was crown prince, and that he was connected with Hwaui Gun Yi Yeong and others in plotting to assassinate Grand Prince Suyang.6 After Sejo ascended the throne, in 1455 (Sejo 1), because Danjong had once stayed at the residence of Grand Prince Geumseong, he was placed under confinement in Sunheung, Gyeongsang (present-day Yeongju, North Gyeongsang Province), and all of his property and slaves were confiscated.
Failure of the Danjong restoration movement and execution
Two years later, together with Sunheung Magistrate Yi Bo-heum and others, he secretly planned an uprising and a coup to restore Danjong.
Grand Prince Geumseong and Yi Bo-heum gathered the local soldiers, clerks, and people of Sunheung-bu, and at the same time circulated letters and proclamations among the local gentry (士族) of Gyeongsang Province to encourage their participation. Thus, they planned to raise a righteous army, march to Hanseong, expel Grand Prince Suyang, and bring back Danjong to restore him to the throne. However, a government slave from Sunheung escaped and ran to Hanseong, where he reported to Sejo that "Grand Prince Geumseong, together with Sunheung Magistrate Yi Bo-heum, is plotting to restore Grand Prince Nosan (Danjong)," and he was ultimately ordered to death. At first, Sejo seemed not to order his execution, but from the ninth month of that lunar year, Sin Sook-ju, Jeong In-ji, and others petitioned for his execution, and the Saganwon, the Seungjeongwon, and others repeatedly submitted memorials daily calling for the execution of Grand Prince Geumseong. In the end, Sejo sent a poison bowl and ordered him to die. This was on the 21st day of the 10th lunar month of 1457 (Sejo 3), when he was 32 years old.
In addition, on 18 November 1457, his descendants, together with the descendants of other sons of Sejong who had participated in Danjong and the Danjong restoration movement (such as Grand Prince Hannam and Grand Prince Yeongpung), were all removed from the Jongchinrok and Yubunrok records.
Afterward
Residents of Sunheung-bu, who were searching for the tomb of Grand Prince Geumseong, found a stone stained with his blood at the place where he had been executed by poison, and they built an altar around it and held memorial rites. This is called the Geumseong Altar. A shrine was also erected in Yonggi-ri, Chopyeong-myeon, Jincheon County, North Chungcheong Province, at lot 416, where he had once stayed. In Daesin-ri, Miwon-myeon, Cheongwon County, North Chungcheong Province, his great-grandson Heungyang Bujeong moved the tomb of the Lady Choe, the wife of Grand Prince Geumseong, and then built a memorial tablet house beside it, and a spirit stele was erected nearby.
Later, during the reign of Jungjong, his great-grandson Yi Ui petitioned the king and argued for the innocence of Grand Prince Geumseong. Jungjong, considering this proper, is recorded to have, in 1519 (Jungjong 14), conferred official ranks on three generations of descendants of Grand Prince Geumseong and ordered their succession.
In 1519 (Jungjong 14), his great-grandson Yi Ui spread a straw mat in front of the palace gate and for three months cried out loudly about the injustice done to Grand Prince Geumseong around the palace gate. At this time, Kim An-guk (慕齋 金安國), the scholar who lectured Jungjong on the classics, reported to Jungjong: "Grand Prince Geumseong was a close relative of the royal house. Since he was not pardoned, his descendants are still bound by that charge, which I believe is improper. Please be lenient and forgive them." His words moved Jungjong's heart, and government slaves were freed. At this time, Yi Maeng-han, the son who had been stripped of his title, was specially enfeoffed as Hamjong-gun (咸種君) in 1519 (Jungjong 14), his grandson Yi Yeon-jang was posthumously granted the title of Dongpyeong-gun (東平君), and the three brothers Yi In, Yi Ui, and Yi Rye were granted the titles Deokyang Bujeong, Heungyang Bujeong, and Cheongri Bujeong.
Afterward, the official ranks of Grand Prince Geumseong were restored during the reign of Sukjong, and the posthumous name Jeongmin was conferred during the reign of Yeongjo. During the reign of Jeongjo, his descendants were treated as members of the royal clan and were allowed to hold ancestral rites. He is enshrined at Cheongdang Shrine (靑塘祠) in Jincheon, Doegye Seowon (道溪書院) in Sunheung, and other places.
Even today, at various historic sites commemorating Grand Prince Geumseong, the 21st day of the 10th lunar month, on which the order for his execution by poison was issued, is regarded as his death anniversary, and his ritual heirs hold memorial rites as the central figures.
Evaluation
Among Sejong's many sons, the other grand princes and the secondary-born princes joined Sejo's side and enjoyed worldly power. However, he alone was upright in character and very loyal. He honored the wishes of his father Sejong and his eldest brother Munjong, and he tried to the end to protect the young Danjong, who was loved by both of them, being their grandson and son, and his own nephew, and he met a tragic end.7
Spouse: Lady Wansan Choe (完山府夫人 崔氏), daughter of Choe Sa-gang (崔士康, 1388 – 1443)
Eldest son: Hwawon-gun Yi Maeng-han (花原君 李孟漢, also Hamjong-gun, 1455 – 1529), who later became a government slave of Cheongju together with his son Yi Yeon-jang (李連長)8.
Grandson: Yi Yeon-jang (李連長), who later became a government slave of Cheongju together with his father Yi Maeng-han (李孟漢).9 After his death, he was posthumously granted the title Grand Prince Dongpyeong (東平君).
Great-grandson: Deokyang Bujeong, posthumously Deokcheon-gun Yi In (1500, 19th day of 6th lunar month – 1575, 26th day of 3rd lunar month)
Great-grandson: Heungyang Bujeong, posthumously Heungyang-jeong Yi Ui (1502 – 26th day of 6th lunar month, 1577)
Eldest son by a secondary wife: Yi Dong (李銅), who became a government slave of Chungju.11
Grandson: Yi Geumjil-jeong (李金叱丁)
Grandson: Yi Cheoljeong (李鐵丁)
Grandson: Yi Eunjeong (李銀丁)
Adopted son: Grand Prince Chunseong Dohyogong Dang (春城君 悼孝公, 1454 – 1 June 1485), the fifth son by a secondary wife of Sejong of Joseon, Grand Prince Miseong; returned to his original lineage after Grand Prince Geumseong was rehabilitated during the reign of Yeongjo.
Uncle by blood and brother-in-law: Grand Prince Hamnyeong. Because the wife of Grand Prince Hamnyeong was the elder sister of Lady Wansan, he was both his nephew-uncle and his brother-in-law.
Sejong Sillok, vol. 89, 22nd year of Sejong (1440, Gyeongsin / 5th year of Ming Zhengtong), 11th day of 6th month (Sinsa), 2nd article "Grand Prince Geumseong becomes critically ill with smallpox" ↩
Sejong Sillok, vol. 89, 22nd year of Sejong (1440, Gyeongsin / 5th year of Ming Zhengtong), 21st day of 6th month (Sinmyo), 5th article "Rewards are given to those who contributed to the recovery of Grand Prince Geumseong" ↩↩2
Danjong Sillok, vol. 13, 3rd year of Danjong (1455, Eulhae / 6th year of Ming Jingtai), 27th day of 2nd month (Gyemyo), 2nd article "Hwaui Gun Yi Yeong and others are exiled, and eunuch Eom Ja-chi and others are removed from office" ↩↩2
Danjong Sillok, vol. 13, 3rd year of Danjong (1455, Eulhae / 6th year of Ming Jingtai), 27th day of 2nd month (Gyemyo), 3rd article, Official certificates of Grand Prince Geumseong Yi Yu and others are withdrawn, and eunuchs including Eom Ja-chi are exiled to places outside the capital ↩
Danjong Sillok, vol. 13, 3rd year of Danjong (1455, Eulhae / 6th year of Ming Jingtai), 7th day of 3rd month (Imja), 1st article "Left Assistant Censor Sin Jeon reports to clarify the charges against Grand Prince Geumseong Yi Yu, Hwaui Gun Yi Yeong, military officer Hong Yak, eunuch Eom Ja-chi, and others" ↩
Danjong Sillok, vol. 13, 3rd year of Danjong (1455, 6th year of Ming Jingtai), 21st day of 3rd month (Byeongin), 2nd article, Grand Prince Geumseong Yi Yu secretly colludes with Lady Yang ↩
Joseon Wangjo Sillok, Jungjong vol. 32, 13th year (1518, Muin / 13th year of Ming Zhengde), 21st day of 2nd month (Gyeongin), 5th article ↩
Joseon Wangjo Sillok, Jungjong vol. 32, 13th year (1518, Muin / 13th year of Ming Zhengde), 21st day of 2nd month (Gyeongin), 5th article ↩
A tomb of Lady PaHyeon Yun, the spouse of Grand Prince Geumseong, is located in Bodeok-ri, Daeya-myeon, Gunsan City. A recently compiled genealogy records her as a daughter of Yun Sang-hoe (尹相會), but she cannot be found in the Paham Yun clan genealogy. ↩
Jungjong Sillok, vol. 41, 15th year of Jungjong, 13th day of 11th month (Jeongmyo), 1st article / Discussion with the Three Chief Ministers on adding and reinstating the descendants of Grand Prince Geumseong and Grand Prince Hannam, who had been punished in the previous dynasty ↩
Grand Prince Geumseong Yi Yu (錦城大君 李瑜, 14 May 1426 (28th day of 3rd lunar month) – 16 November 1457 (21st day of 10th lunar month)) was a prince, civil official, military officer, and politician of early Joseon. He was a child of Sejong the Great, the seventh son and sixth son by a secondary wife of Sejong of Joseon, who pursued the Danjong restoration movement. His mother was Queen Soheon.
In 1433 (Sejong 15), he was enfeoffed as Grand Prince Geumseong. After his coming-of-age ceremony in 1437, in June of that year, by order of Sejong, he was adopted as the ritual heir of Grand Prince Bangseok, the eighth son of Taejo (Grand Prince Uian). In 1445, by order of Sejong, he supervised the manufacture of firearms together with Grand Prince Imyeong.
At his place of exile in Sunheung, he planned to raise a righteous army together with the magistrate of Sunheung, Yi Bo-heum, to pursue the restoration of Danjong. However, he was betrayed by a government slave, and he was executed at his place of exile.
After his death, he was rehabilitated during the reign of Sukjong, and he was added to the Record of Those Enshrined with Royal Sacrifices (御定配食錄). His was Yu (瑜), his pen name was Seungeunjeong (承恩亭), his was (全州), and his was Jeongmin (貞愍). He is one of the .
He was born on the 28th day of the 3rd lunar month of 1426 (Sejong 8) as the sixth son of Sejong and Queen Soheon, and he was raised by Consort Ui of the Gwon clan, a secondary consort of Taejong. In the first month of 1433 (Sejong 15), he was enfeoffed as Grand Prince Geumseong, and three years later, in the fourth month of 1436 (Sejong 18), he entered the Seonggyungwan together with his elder brother Grand Prince Gwangpyeong. He received the rank of Heungnok Daebu. Beyond this, no records of his childhood remain. No records of his original name or courtesy name remain either.
Then, in the second month of 1437 (Sejong 19), when he was 12 years old, he married the daughter of Choe Sa-gang (崔士康), then Chamchan, and he later had a son, Yi Maeng-han (李孟漢). In the sixth month of the same year, by order of Sejong, he was adopted as the ritual heir of Grand Prince Uian, the eighth son of Taejo. Afterward, he left the palace and established a shrine to Grand Prince Uian at his private residence.
In the sixth month of 1440 (Sejong 22), he at one point contracted smallpox and nearly died. Sejong sent court physicians to treat him, and while also keeping the Yeongchumun gate open, he frequently asked the physicians about his condition. On the 21st day of the sixth month, when his illness was completely cured, Sejong the Great personally bestowed rewards on the palace attendants who had treated him.
Years as a prince
Sejong favored him and continued to stay at his residence or move there. In the sixth month of 1440 (Sejong 22), he at one point contracted smallpox and was in danger of his life.1 However, he miraculously recovered, and Sejong greatly rewarded the physicians and those involved in his treatment.2
The King, delighted at the recovery of Grand Prince Geumseong, gave a horse and five gyeol of fields to the eunuch Choe Seup (崔濕), who had attended him; added a rank to Kim Chung (金忠), Kim Yeon (金衍), and Jeon Gyun (田畇), each with five gyeol of fields; granted an official post to Lee Hae (李海); and also gave a saddled horse and five gyeol of fields to the physician Noh Jung-rye (盧重禮); added a rank and gave a horse and five gyeol of fields to Bae Sang-mun (裴尙文); gave a set of clothing each to Yang Hong-su (楊弘遂), Jeon In-gwi (全仁貴), Jeon Sun-ui (全循義), and Kim Ji (金智); Park Yeon-saeng (朴延生) was promoted by one rank, and Yeon-saeng was the husband of the Grand Prince's wet nurse. Noh Go-heon (盧高憲), the nephew of Jung-rye, was also promoted by one rank.2
In 1444 and 1445, Sejong, being ill, recuperated at the private residence of Grand Prince Geumseong. In 1445, he received Sejong's order through the Seungjeongwon and, together with Grand Prince Imyeong, supervised the manufacture of firearms. In the tenth month of 1449 (Sejong 31), when Sejong was bedridden, he went to the prince's residence, stayed there for two months, and later moved to the private residence of Grand Prince Yeongeung.
He was a Buddhist and also made donations to temples. In 1452 (Munjong 2), when the illness of Munjong became critical, a plan was made to dispatch him to a temple to pray for his recovery, but it was canceled midway. In 1452, when Danjong ascended the throne, he was summoned to Sajeongjeon by the newly enthroned Danjong together with his elder brother Grand Prince Suyang. At this time, he was personally granted items by Danjong and pledged to assist the king from his side. That same year, Grand Prince Suyang summoned Grand Prince Geumseong, Grand Prince Hwaui, and Grand Prince Gyeyang, and then severely whipped and beat Yi Hyeon-ro (李賢老). He said, "Yi Hyeon-ro will surely cause trouble in the future, and I am greatly worried. You should all be aware of this." However, in 1453, Grand Prince Suyang, harboring an ambition to seize power, colluded with Han Myeong-hoe, Sin Sook-ju, and others, purged Grand Prince Anpyeong, and eliminated Kim Jong-seo and other ministers who assisted Danjong. Grand Prince Geumseong opposed his elder brother's actions and resolved to protect his nephew.
Conflict with Grand Prince Suyang and exile
Because he took the side of supporting his nephew Danjong when Danjong ascended the throne, he incurred the resentment of his elder brother Grand Prince Suyang (Sejo).
In the first month of 1455 (Danjong 2), the Chief State Councillor, Grand Prince Suyang, and other senior ministers impeached him, using as a pretext that members of the royal family had held an archery contest at his residence.3
Hwaui Gun (和義君) Yi Yeong (李瓔), Choe Yeong-son (崔泳孫), Kim Ok-gyeom (金玉謙), and others gathered at the residence of Grand Prince Geumseong (錦城大君)3021) Yi Yu (李瑜), held an archery feast (射宴)3022), and concealed it. Furthermore, Yi Yeong committed adultery with Cho Yo-gaeng (楚腰輊), a concubine of Grand Prince Pyeongwon. This may be used as a pretext for punishment, but the concealment cannot be exposed. Please exile Yi Yeong to a place outside the capital, and confiscate the official certificate (告身) of Yi Yu.3
Thus, in the second month of that year, he was stripped of his official certificate and an order of exile was issued,4 but he was judged innocent and had his official certificate returned.5 In 1455 (Danjong 3), he was exiled to Sangnyeong County on the charge of forming factions and colluding with warriors to plot rebellion, as instructed by Grand Prince Suyang; shortly afterward, his place of exile was moved to Gwangju County in Gyeonggi Province.
It is also recorded in the Veritable Records that he was close to Lady Hye of the Yang clan, a secondary consort of Sejong who had raised Danjong when he was crown prince, and that he was connected with Hwaui Gun Yi Yeong and others in plotting to assassinate Grand Prince Suyang.6 After Sejo ascended the throne, in 1455 (Sejo 1), because Danjong had once stayed at the residence of Grand Prince Geumseong, he was placed under confinement in Sunheung, Gyeongsang (present-day Yeongju, North Gyeongsang Province), and all of his property and slaves were confiscated.
Failure of the Danjong restoration movement and execution
Two years later, together with Sunheung Magistrate Yi Bo-heum and others, he secretly planned an uprising and a coup to restore Danjong.
Grand Prince Geumseong and Yi Bo-heum gathered the local soldiers, clerks, and people of Sunheung-bu, and at the same time circulated letters and proclamations among the local gentry (士族) of Gyeongsang Province to encourage their participation. Thus, they planned to raise a righteous army, march to Hanseong, expel Grand Prince Suyang, and bring back Danjong to restore him to the throne. However, a government slave from Sunheung escaped and ran to Hanseong, where he reported to Sejo that "Grand Prince Geumseong, together with Sunheung Magistrate Yi Bo-heum, is plotting to restore Grand Prince Nosan (Danjong)," and he was ultimately ordered to death. At first, Sejo seemed not to order his execution, but from the ninth month of that lunar year, Sin Sook-ju, Jeong In-ji, and others petitioned for his execution, and the Saganwon, the Seungjeongwon, and others repeatedly submitted memorials daily calling for the execution of Grand Prince Geumseong. In the end, Sejo sent a poison bowl and ordered him to die. This was on the 21st day of the 10th lunar month of 1457 (Sejo 3), when he was 32 years old.
In addition, on 18 November 1457, his descendants, together with the descendants of other sons of Sejong who had participated in Danjong and the Danjong restoration movement (such as Grand Prince Hannam and Grand Prince Yeongpung), were all removed from the Jongchinrok and Yubunrok records.
Afterward
Residents of Sunheung-bu, who were searching for the tomb of Grand Prince Geumseong, found a stone stained with his blood at the place where he had been executed by poison, and they built an altar around it and held memorial rites. This is called the Geumseong Altar. A shrine was also erected in Yonggi-ri, Chopyeong-myeon, Jincheon County, North Chungcheong Province, at lot 416, where he had once stayed. In Daesin-ri, Miwon-myeon, Cheongwon County, North Chungcheong Province, his great-grandson Heungyang Bujeong moved the tomb of the Lady Choe, the wife of Grand Prince Geumseong, and then built a memorial tablet house beside it, and a spirit stele was erected nearby.
Later, during the reign of Jungjong, his great-grandson Yi Ui petitioned the king and argued for the innocence of Grand Prince Geumseong. Jungjong, considering this proper, is recorded to have, in 1519 (Jungjong 14), conferred official ranks on three generations of descendants of Grand Prince Geumseong and ordered their succession.
In 1519 (Jungjong 14), his great-grandson Yi Ui spread a straw mat in front of the palace gate and for three months cried out loudly about the injustice done to Grand Prince Geumseong around the palace gate. At this time, Kim An-guk (慕齋 金安國), the scholar who lectured Jungjong on the classics, reported to Jungjong: "Grand Prince Geumseong was a close relative of the royal house. Since he was not pardoned, his descendants are still bound by that charge, which I believe is improper. Please be lenient and forgive them." His words moved Jungjong's heart, and government slaves were freed. At this time, Yi Maeng-han, the son who had been stripped of his title, was specially enfeoffed as Hamjong-gun (咸種君) in 1519 (Jungjong 14), his grandson Yi Yeon-jang was posthumously granted the title of Dongpyeong-gun (東平君), and the three brothers Yi In, Yi Ui, and Yi Rye were granted the titles Deokyang Bujeong, Heungyang Bujeong, and Cheongri Bujeong.
Afterward, the official ranks of Grand Prince Geumseong were restored during the reign of Sukjong, and the posthumous name Jeongmin was conferred during the reign of Yeongjo. During the reign of Jeongjo, his descendants were treated as members of the royal clan and were allowed to hold ancestral rites. He is enshrined at Cheongdang Shrine (靑塘祠) in Jincheon, Doegye Seowon (道溪書院) in Sunheung, and other places.
Even today, at various historic sites commemorating Grand Prince Geumseong, the 21st day of the 10th lunar month, on which the order for his execution by poison was issued, is regarded as his death anniversary, and his ritual heirs hold memorial rites as the central figures.
Evaluation
Among Sejong's many sons, the other grand princes and the secondary-born princes joined Sejo's side and enjoyed worldly power. However, he alone was upright in character and very loyal. He honored the wishes of his father Sejong and his eldest brother Munjong, and he tried to the end to protect the young Danjong, who was loved by both of them, being their grandson and son, and his own nephew, and he met a tragic end.7
Spouse: Lady Wansan Choe (完山府夫人 崔氏), daughter of Choe Sa-gang (崔士康, 1388 – 1443)
Eldest son: Hwawon-gun Yi Maeng-han (花原君 李孟漢, also Hamjong-gun, 1455 – 1529), who later became a government slave of Cheongju together with his son Yi Yeon-jang (李連長)8.
Grandson: Yi Yeon-jang (李連長), who later became a government slave of Cheongju together with his father Yi Maeng-han (李孟漢).9 After his death, he was posthumously granted the title Grand Prince Dongpyeong (東平君).
Great-grandson: Deokyang Bujeong, posthumously Deokcheon-gun Yi In (1500, 19th day of 6th lunar month – 1575, 26th day of 3rd lunar month)
Great-grandson: Heungyang Bujeong, posthumously Heungyang-jeong Yi Ui (1502 – 26th day of 6th lunar month, 1577)
Eldest son by a secondary wife: Yi Dong (李銅), who became a government slave of Chungju.11
Grandson: Yi Geumjil-jeong (李金叱丁)
Grandson: Yi Cheoljeong (李鐵丁)
Grandson: Yi Eunjeong (李銀丁)
Adopted son: Grand Prince Chunseong Dohyogong Dang (春城君 悼孝公, 1454 – 1 June 1485), the fifth son by a secondary wife of Sejong of Joseon, Grand Prince Miseong; returned to his original lineage after Grand Prince Geumseong was rehabilitated during the reign of Yeongjo.
Uncle by blood and brother-in-law: Grand Prince Hamnyeong. Because the wife of Grand Prince Hamnyeong was the elder sister of Lady Wansan, he was both his nephew-uncle and his brother-in-law.
Sejong Sillok, vol. 89, 22nd year of Sejong (1440, Gyeongsin / 5th year of Ming Zhengtong), 11th day of 6th month (Sinsa), 2nd article "Grand Prince Geumseong becomes critically ill with smallpox" ↩
Sejong Sillok, vol. 89, 22nd year of Sejong (1440, Gyeongsin / 5th year of Ming Zhengtong), 21st day of 6th month (Sinmyo), 5th article "Rewards are given to those who contributed to the recovery of Grand Prince Geumseong" ↩↩2
Danjong Sillok, vol. 13, 3rd year of Danjong (1455, Eulhae / 6th year of Ming Jingtai), 27th day of 2nd month (Gyemyo), 2nd article "Hwaui Gun Yi Yeong and others are exiled, and eunuch Eom Ja-chi and others are removed from office" ↩↩2
Danjong Sillok, vol. 13, 3rd year of Danjong (1455, Eulhae / 6th year of Ming Jingtai), 27th day of 2nd month (Gyemyo), 3rd article, Official certificates of Grand Prince Geumseong Yi Yu and others are withdrawn, and eunuchs including Eom Ja-chi are exiled to places outside the capital ↩
Danjong Sillok, vol. 13, 3rd year of Danjong (1455, Eulhae / 6th year of Ming Jingtai), 7th day of 3rd month (Imja), 1st article "Left Assistant Censor Sin Jeon reports to clarify the charges against Grand Prince Geumseong Yi Yu, Hwaui Gun Yi Yeong, military officer Hong Yak, eunuch Eom Ja-chi, and others" ↩
Danjong Sillok, vol. 13, 3rd year of Danjong (1455, 6th year of Ming Jingtai), 21st day of 3rd month (Byeongin), 2nd article, Grand Prince Geumseong Yi Yu secretly colludes with Lady Yang ↩
Joseon Wangjo Sillok, Jungjong vol. 32, 13th year (1518, Muin / 13th year of Ming Zhengde), 21st day of 2nd month (Gyeongin), 5th article ↩
Joseon Wangjo Sillok, Jungjong vol. 32, 13th year (1518, Muin / 13th year of Ming Zhengde), 21st day of 2nd month (Gyeongin), 5th article ↩
A tomb of Lady PaHyeon Yun, the spouse of Grand Prince Geumseong, is located in Bodeok-ri, Daeya-myeon, Gunsan City. A recently compiled genealogy records her as a daughter of Yun Sang-hoe (尹相會), but she cannot be found in the Paham Yun clan genealogy. ↩
Jungjong Sillok, vol. 41, 15th year of Jungjong, 13th day of 11th month (Jeongmyo), 1st article / Discussion with the Three Chief Ministers on adding and reinstating the descendants of Grand Prince Geumseong and Grand Prince Hannam, who had been punished in the previous dynasty ↩