Feng'en fuguo gong


Feng'en fuguo gong, translated as "Grace Bulwark Duke" or "Duke Who Assists to the State by the Grace" or "State Duke of the Second Rank", was one of the royal and noble titles of the Qing dynasty. A title was created in 1653 by division of the zhenguo gong title into two ranks following the criterion of sharing Eight Privileges. The title was the eighth highest rank in the extended system of ranks and the fifth inheritable rank.

Rules of grant

The title was the lowest possible to inherit in the peerage of the second rank except of special circumstances. The title could also convey a honorifical name consisting of two characters. The title could be made perpetually inheritable in case of abolition of the peerage.
The title could be granted to the son of Feng'en zhenguo gong born to State Duchess of the First Rank.

Family members

Princess consort

Princess consort was styled as "feng'en fuguo gong furen", which translates to "State Duchess of the Second Rank". Often the title was replaced by the term Primary Wife.

Sons

Son of feng'en fuguo gong was granted a title of third class bulwark general. As the title was the last possible for the peerage, the right to inherit the title of Duke of the Second Rank was reserved to the sons born to primary consorts. However, the title son inherited could convey different honorifical name in case when father's title had been given honorifical name. De facto sons born to secondary consorts of the feng'en fuguo duke received various official positions and became unranked imperial clansmen.

Daughters

Daughter born to primary consort of feng'en zhenguo duke was granted a title of Lady of the Third Rank. Daughters born to secondary consort of feng'en fuguo gong were granted a title of sixth rank clanswoman.

Allowances and court attire

Feng'en zhenguo gong

Allowance

The allowance of grace bulwark duke reached 500 taels of silver and 500 hu of rice.

Attire

State duchess of the second rank

Attire

  • Crown decorated with 3 peacocks each embellished with three pearls, finial with 4 pearls and ruby and 3 strings of pearls connected with two lapis lazuli inlaid plaques
  • Diadem decorated with 4 ruyi cloud shaped plaques bejeweled with pearls and 3 strings of pearls connected with two lapis lazuli inlaid plaques
  • Formal and semiformal robes befitting princess consort of the third rank
  • Surcoat befitting state duchess of the first rank

Xiangjun

Allowance

The basic allotment of xiangjun reached 40 taels and 40 hu of rice. As most of the ladies of the third rank were married off, the allowance included 40 taels and 5 rolls of fabrics. Xiangjun was allowed to have 4 personal maids and 2 bodyguards.

Attire

  • Crown and diadem befitting state duchess of the second rank
  • Court robes befitting princess consort of the third rank
  • Semiformal robes befitting state duchess of the first rank

Notable titles

The following table includes the titles conveying honorifical names. The table is constructed chronologically.
YearTitleRecipientBackgroundPeerageReferences
1635Grace Bulwark Gangyi Duke Darca Son of Murhaci and lady MagiyaLine of Murhaci
1652Grace Bulwark Huaisi duke Songbutu Son of Handai and lady NaraLine of Murhaci
1653Grace Bulwark Duke Quehou Tabai Son of Nurhaci and lady NiohuruLine of Tabai
1655Grace Bulwark Duke Quehou Hailan Son of Handai and lady NaraLine of Murhaci
1673Grace Bulwark Duke Quehou Muqing Son of Darca and lady Ula NaraLine of Murhaci
1653Grace Bulwark Duke Jiezhi LaimbuSon of Nurhaci and lady Sirin GioroLine of Laimbu
1655Grace Bulwark Daomin Duke Xibuxilun Son of Handai and lady NaraLine of Murhaci
1660Grace Bulwark Duke Kexi Baduhai Sixth son of Tabai and lady UsunLine of Tabai
1660Grace Bulwark Duke Kexi Lashita Tenth son of Murhaci and lady Ayan GioroLine of Murhaci
1681Grace Bulwark Duke Kexi Cani Fourth son of Dodo, Prince Yutong of the First Rank and secondary princess consort, lady TunggiyaPrince Yu (豫)
1750Grace Bulwark Duke Kexi Hongyan Sixth son of Yunreng and secondary crown princess consort, lady TanggiyaPrince Li (理)
XVIII centuryGrace Bulwark Dunqin Duke Aiyintu First son of Ertu and lady DaigiyaLine of Surhaci
1787Grace Bulwark Keqin Duke Yongwei First son of Hongyan and secondary consort, lady WanyanPrince Li (理)