Princess Gyeonghye

Princess Gyeonghye (Korean: 경혜공주; 1436 – 17 January 1474¹), also known before as Princess Pyeongchang before her marriage, was a Joseon princess and the eldest child of Munjong of Joseon. She served as guardian for her only younger brother, Danjong of Joseon, when he ascended the throne underage.²

Biography

The princess was born into the Jeonju Yi clan in 1436 to Yi Hyang, Crown Prince Hyang and Crown Princess Hyeondeok, who died later in 1441 after giving birth to her younger brother. Prior to her birth, the Princess had an older sister born in 1434 but she died in 1438. She was later enfeoffed as Princess Pyeongchang (Korean: 평창; Hanja: 平昌郡主).³ At some point during her childhood, Princess Pyeongchang was sent to live with a government minister, Jo Yu-rye (조유례), for safety. Munjong later noted that she regarded Jo as a foster father.⁴

In January 1450, the princess married to Jeong Jong of the Haeju Jeong clan and was granted the title Princess Gyeonghye.⁵ Jeong was raised to the position of Minister of Justice.⁶ The next year, Munjong of Joseon granted her land at Yangdeokbang (양덕방) to build a new mansion. Officials argued against this, as it required removing more than 30 families and Jeong already had a mansion, but the gift was bestowed anyway.⁷ She eventually birthed a daughter in an unknown year, but she died prematurely. In 1452, Princess Gyeonghye's brother ascended the throne and she acted as his guardian. Although along with the general , she attempted to strengthen royal authority, a coup led by her uncle, ended with her brother's banishment.