Duke Gangyang or Prince Gangyang (died 1308;[1] born Wang Ja) was a Goryeo Royal Prince as the first and oldest son of King Chungnyeol and Princess Jeongsin,[2] also great-grandfather of its last monarch, King Gongyang.

Duke Gangyang
Prince of Goryeo
BornWang Ja
Goryeo
Died1308
Goryeo
IssueWang Hu
Wang Go
Wang Hun
Posthumous name
Jeonggang (정강, 靖康; "Tranquil and Peaceful")
HouseHouse of Wang
FatherChungnyeol of Goryeo
MotherPrincess Jeongsin
Korean name
Hangul
강양군, 강양공
Hanja
Revised RomanizationGangyanggun, Gangyanggong
McCune–ReischauerKangyanggun, Kangyanggong
Birth name
Hangul
왕자
Hanja
Revised RomanizationWang Ja
McCune–ReischauerWang Cha
Posthumous name
Hangul
정강
Hanja
Revised RomanizationJeonggang
McCune–ReischauerChŏnggang

Biography edit

Palace life edit

As the oldest son and since his mother was King Chungnyeol's first wife, Wang Ja was the one who should become the crown prince. Yet, due to Yuan dynasty influence on Goryeo after the king's marriage with Kublai Khan's daughter–Qutugh Kelmysh, Wang Ja must give up the crown prince position to his half younger brother.[3]

In 1279 (5th years reign of his father), Wang Ja had to go to the Dongsim Temple (동심사) in Aju, Chungcheong-do (now Asan-si, South Chungcheong Province) to avoid conflict with the crown prince.[4] Four years later in 1283, Wang Ja was able to back to Gaegyeong and received his royal title–Duke Gangyang (강양공; 江陽公).

Death and afterlife edit

Duke Gangyang died in 1308 (24th years reign of his father)[5] and received his Posthumous name, Jeonggang (정강; 靖康) along with his honorary title, Duke Jeonggang (정강공; 靖康公) given by his great-grandson–King Gongyang in 1391.[6]

Although his wife is unknown, according to the remaining historical sources, Duke Gangyang had 3 sons: Wang Hu the Grand Prince Danyang (단양대군 왕후) who served in Yuan dynasty, Wang Go the Prince Yeonan (연안군 왕고) who was King Chungseon's trusted official, and Wang Hun the Prince Yeondeok (연덕군 왕훈) who would become the grandfather of King Gongyang.

References edit

  1. ^ In the Korean calendar (lunar), he died on 12th days 4th months 1308.
  2. ^ "고려사 > 권91 > 열전 권제4 > 종실(宗室) > 충렬왕 소생 왕자". History of Goryeo (in Korean). Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  3. ^ 韓國女性關係資料集: 中世篇(中) [Korean Women's Relationship Collection: Middle Ages (Part 2)] (in Korean). Ewha Womans University Publishing Department. 1985. p. 90. ISBN 9788973000432.
  4. ^ "고려사 > 권91 > 열전 권제4 > 종실(宗室) > 충렬왕 왕자 강양공 왕자 > 강양공 왕자가 동심사에 출가하였다가 환속하다". History of Goryeo (in Korean). Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  5. ^ "고려사 > 권32 > 세가 권제32 > 충렬왕(忠烈王) 34년 > 4월 > 강양공 왕자가 죽다". History of Goryeo (in Korean). Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  6. ^ "고려사 > 권46 > 세가 권제46 > 공양왕(恭讓王) 3년 > 7월 > 왕대비·국대비·순비의 시호를 추증하다". History of Goryeo (in Korean). Retrieved March 25, 2023.