원경왕후 元敬王后
Queen consort of Taejong of Joseon, mother of Sejong, daughter of Min Je
| Life | 1365 ~ 1420 |
| Era | 고려 말~조선 초 |
| Clan | 여흥 민씨 |
Life & career
Queen Wongyeong (1365-1420) was the consort of King Taejong and the mother of Sejong the Great. From Yeoheung, she was born in 1365 in a private house in Cheoldong, Songgyeong, the third of four sons and four daughters of Min Je and Lady Yeosan Song. She is also said to have been a sixth cousin of King Chungjeong.
She married Yi Bang-won, fifth son of Yi Seong-gye, in 1382 and became Princess Jeongnyeong at Joseon's founding in 1392, during which time she bore Princess Gyeongan and Grand Princes Yangnyeong, Hyoryeong and Chungnyeong (Sejong). During the First Strife of Princes in 1398 she is said to have hidden weapons and urged Yi Bang-won to act, with her brothers Min Mu-gu and Min Mu-jil joining him. She became Crown Princess Jeongbin when he was named heir and Queen Jeongbi when Taejong took the throne in 1400.
As queen she often clashed with Taejong over concubines and her natal family. Taejong later purged her brothers Min Mu-hwil and Min Mu-hoe for persecuting Prince Gyeongnyeong and his mother, after Min Mu-gu and Min Mu-jil had already been put to death, so her family was ruined. When her son Sejong took the throne she became the Queen Dowager Hudeok, and she died in 1420 at Sugangung. Her tomb is Heolleung in Naegok-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul, a double tomb with Taejong. She is counted among the politically forceful queens of Joseon along with Queen Munjeong and Empress Myeongseong.
Queen Wongyeong is said to have had four sons and four daughters with Taejong. Her eldest son Yangnyeong was heir but was deposed, and her third son Chungnyeong became Sejong. The couple lie side by side at Heolleung, a lasting sign of their long bond. She has been portrayed in several historical dramas, including tvN's Wongyeong (2025).
The Strife of Princes and Crown Princess
In the First Strife of Princes in 1398 she is said to have played a major part with her natal family in removing Jeong Do-jeon's faction, and she was named Jeongbin when Bang-won became heir in 1400.
Fall of Her Natal Family
Wary of in-law power, Taejong had all four sons of Min Je put to death or ordered to take their own lives, a major cause of conflict between the couple.
Grave
Her tomb is Heolleung in Naegok-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul, a double tomb with Taejong.
Descendants
Sons Grand Princes Yangnyeong, Hyoryeong, Chungnyeong (Sejong) and Seongnyeong; daughters Princesses Jeongsun, Gyeongjeong, Gyeongan and Jeongseon.