Grand Prince Nŭngwŏn


Grand Prince Nŭngwŏn, personal name Yi Po was a Korean politician of the late Joseon period. He was also a Korean Royal Prince as the second son of Wonjong of Joseon and Queen Inheon of the Neungseong Ku clan. He was the younger brother of Injo of Joseon.

Biography

Early life

The future Grand Prince Nŭngwŏn was born on 15 May 1598 in Seongcheon, Pyeongan-do, Joseon as the second son of Prince Jeongwon and Princess Consort Yeonju of the Neungseong Ku clan during the late Imjin War period. Since child, he was spent a brief childhood in Pyeongyang-si, Pyeongan-do and grew up in his father's private residence in Hanseong-bu.
Meanwhile, later in 1608, at 11 years old, Bo was adopted as his 1st uncle, Prince Ŭian 's son. However, Prince Ŭian at 12 years old and later, in 1601, Bo was given royal title Master Nŭngwŏn at first and later changed into Prince Nŭngwŏn in 1608.

During Gwanghaegun of Joseon's reign

In 1608, immediately after Yu Yŏnggyŏng's death in prison, the prince become of Jeongunwonjonggongsin rank 1. Later, in 1613, after Prince Imhae was imprisoned, he became Iksawonjonggongsin rank 1. However, 4 years later in 1617, he was participated in the discussion on the abolition of Dowager Queen Inmok as the senior person in the palace. Other bureaucrats whom participated in these discussion were punished, but he wasn't got punished.

During Injo of Joseon's reign

Later, on 13 March 1623, his big brother, Prince Nŭngyang make a rebellion and then ascended the throne. However, when their youngest brother, Grand Prince Nŭngch'ang was exiled to Gyo-dong on charges of treason in 1615, he was immediately killed and died in there. Heard if the youngest brother was death, their father, Wonjong was so heartbroken over this and while drinking the alcohol, he died on 2 February 1619 at 40 years old.
Then, on 22 December in the same year, Nŭngwŏn became an officer in Sodeokdaebu. However, in March 1625, a man named Chŏng Yŏngsin, the servant of Nŭngwŏn's adopted father was beaten and got killed.
At this time, there were some ministers accused him, but Injo only believed the words of the servants who betrayed him and didn't conducted the investigation fairly, instead ordered the ministers to left. Afterwards, both of Yun Sunji and Kim Yu were filed an appeal for fear that the state's words would be blocked and Injo then apologized for being too excessive.
However, on 28 November 1625, when his mother, Lady Kyeun became critically ill, Injo specially offered Hyŏlloktaebu to Nŭngwŏn in order to comfort his biological mother. Later, when their mother died on 10 February 1626, Nŭngwŏn become the resident instead of Injo. Numerous ministers argued that Nŭngwŏn, who had already been adopted by Prince Ŭian, couldn't be Lady Kyeun resident, but Injo didn't grant permission and refused it. After that, Nŭngwŏn must faced a difficult life because he was being dismissed from the office and must divorced from his wife, Lady Yu because her father was failed in conspiracy to make Prince Inseong, the first son of Seonjo of Joseon and Royal Noble Consort Jeong of the Yeoheung Min clan as the new King to succeed Gwanghae in the throne, so King Injo demanded him to divorced from her. At first, he refused this, but later removed her title and demoted to just be his concubine. Although that, she can still able to lived in his home.

Meanwhile, when Injo concerned about his small house, Injo fell wrong with this and gave him a special palace in Yihyeon, Hanseong-bu as his house. Later, on 17 September 1628, Nŭngwŏn became Somuwonjonggongsin rank 1.

After military service and ranks

Later, after Injo's ascension to the throne, their father was honoured as King Wonjong and their mother was honoured as Queen Inheon. Then, on 4 May 1623, he was honoured as Grand Prince Nŭngwŏn along with his younger brother who died as Grand Prince Nŭngch'ang. In 1645, he received a portion of the envoys from Dorgon who was the Prince regent of Qing dynasty.
Later, in September 1646, after Sim Kiwŏn 's rebellion case was ended, Nŭngwŏn became Yeonggukgongsin and then Yeonggukwonjonggongsin in September 1646.

Faction

Famous figures of his faction were such as the politician Yi Chinyong and the playwright Yi Haerang. Meanwhile, since the Prince was adopted by his 1st uncle, his faction was sometimes called as Prince Ŭian Faction.

Died and later life

He later died on 26 January 1656 at 57 years old and received his posthumous name, then, was buried in Nokchon-ri, Hwado-eup, Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province along with his wife. On the other hand, it was said that he also claimed the theory of ch'ŏkhwa together with Kim Sanghŏn, who was a presiding officer at the time, despite the growing public opinion insisting on strengthening the Qing dynasty.
He was also ignorant of Buddhism and didn't even look the cause, but after his 1st father in-law, Yu Hyorip was punished and exiled, he faced his wife, wept and complained about this. It was said that he lived together as before without any regrets.

Family

Grand Prince Nŭngwŏn had 20 grandchildren and 45 middle-grandsons, almost of them were lived with prospering. His Sindo was written by Song Siyeol and Jo Sa-U.
Sibling:
  1. Grand Princess Consort Munhwa of the Munhwa Ryu clan
  2. Grand Princess Consort of the Yeongam Kim clan
  3. #Yi Sik, Prince Yŏngp'ung
  4. #Yi Ham, Prince Yŏngŭn
  5. #Yi Hyŏng, Prince Yŏngsin
  6. #Yi Chŏng, Prince Yŏngch'un
  7. #Yi Yu
  8. #Lady Yi
  9. #Lady Yi Yŏngjŏng
  10. #Lady Yi

    Legacy