Royal Noble Consort Sukbin Hong

Royal Noble Consort Suk of the Namyang Hong clan (Korean숙빈 남양 홍씨; Hanja肅嬪 南陽 洪氏; 1418 – ?) was a concubine of King Munjong of Joseon.[1]

Suk-bin Hong
숙빈 홍씨
Royal Noble Consort of the First Senior Rank
Tenure7 August 1452 – ?
Born1418
Joseon
Died?
Joseon
SpouseMunjong of Joseon
Issue1
HouseNamyang Hong (by birth)
Jeonju Yi (by marriage)
HouseYi (by marriage)
FatherHong Sim
MotherLady Yun of the Papyeong Yun clan
ReligionKorean Buddhism
Korean name
Hangul
숙빈 홍씨
Hanja
Revised RomanizationSukbin Hongssi
McCune–ReischauerSukpin Hongssi

Biography

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Early life

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The future Suk-bin was born in 1418, as the daughter of Hong Sim (홍심), the son of Hong Deok-bo (홍덕보), and Lady Yun of the Papyeong Yun clan (파평 윤씨).

The exact date of Lady Hong's birth is not clear, but in the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty it was mentioned that she was younger than Crown Princess Gwon.[2]

She had one younger brother, Hong Eung, Internal Prince Ikseong (홍응 익성 부원군), who was a member of the State Council of Joseon.[3]

Life as Royal Concubine

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In 1431 (13th year of King Sejong's reign), when Munjong was still a Crown Prince, Lady Hong was officially chosen as his concubine along with Lady Gwon (posthumously honoured as Queen Hyeondeok), the eldest daughter of Gwon Jeon (권전), and Lady Jeong (later known as Royal Consort So-yong), the daughter of Jeong Gap-son (정갑손).[4] Their fathers received rice and beans as a reward.[5]

Because the three of them came from noble families, they were officially honoured as Seung-hwi (junior fourth rank concubine of the Crown Prince; 승휘, 承徽). On March 15, they entered the palace together.[6]

Despite Lady Hong being close with Munjong at the time when Crown Princess Bong was deposed, her father-in-law, King Sejong, chose Lady Gwon Yang-won (양원 권씨) to become the new Crown Princess, because she already gave birth to a daughter, Princess Gyeonghye, and held the higher rank. Munjong followed his father's wish.

Meanwhile, Lady Hong gave birth to a princess in 1441, but the daughter died at the age of 4, on December 4, 1444.[7]

After Munjong ascended the throne, she was promoted to Gwi-in (junior first rank concubine of the King; 귀인, 貴人), and given the authority to become the leader the Inner Court since the Queen's seat was empty.

On August 7, 1452, a few months after Danjong succeeded his father, Lady Hong was honoured as Bin (senior first rank concubine of the King; 빈, 嬪), with the prefix Suk (肅), meaning "respectful".[8][9]

She moved into Grand Prince Anpyeong's house and stepped down from her position as leader of the Inner Court when her step-son married Queen Jeongsun.

Later life

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There are no records left about the date of her death or where her tomb is located.

In 1466, her nephew, Hong Sang (홍상), married Princess Myeongsuk (명숙 공주), the daughter of Crown Prince Uigyeong and Queen Insu, and was known as Prince Consort Dangyang (당양위).[10][11]

Family

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  • Father: Hong Sim (홍심; 洪深; 1398–1456)
  • Mother: Lady Yun of the Paepyeong Yun clan (정부인 파평 윤씨; 貞夫人 坡平 尹氏)

Sibling(s)

  • Younger brother: Hong Eung (홍응; 洪應; 1428–1492)
  • Younger brother: Hong Ching (홍칭; 洪偁)

Husband

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References

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  1. ^ 조선왕조실록. Veritable Records of the Joseon Dynasty (in Korean). Retrieved July 21, 2021.
  2. ^ "Joseon Wangjo Sillok" <18th year of Sejong> (28 December 1436) part. 1 (in Korean).
  3. ^ 홍응 (in Korean). Archived from the original on 2015-04-14. Retrieved July 21, 2021.
  4. ^ 조선왕조실록. Veritable Records of the Joseon Dynasty (in Korean). Retrieved July 21, 2021.
  5. ^ 《조선왕조실록》 세종 13년(1431) 1월 19일 6번째 기사
  6. ^ 《조선왕조실록》 세종 13년(1431) 3월 15일 3번째 기사
  7. ^ 《조선왕조실록》 세종 27년(1444) 12월 4일 1번째 기사
  8. ^ 《조선왕조실록》 단종 즉위년(1452) 8월 7일 2번째 기사
  9. ^ 조선왕조실록. Veritable Records of the Joseon Dynasty (in Korean). Retrieved July 21, 2021.
  10. ^ Joseon Wangjo Sillok:
    • 《조선왕조실록》 세조 12년(1466) 12월 19일 1번째 기사
    • 《조선왕조실록》 중종 8년(1513) 4월 9일 3번째 기사
  11. ^ 조선왕조실록. Veritable Records of the Joseon Dynasty (in Korean). Retrieved July 21, 2021.
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