Hwa-bi Hong

Royal Consort Hwa of the Namyang Hong clan was a Korean royal consort and the third wife of King Chunghye of Goryeo.

Biography

Early life and relatives

The future Consort Hwa was born as the daughter of Hong-Tak, Internal Prince Ikseong, son of Hong-Seon from the Namyang Hong clan and Lady Gwon, daughter of Gwon-Jun, Internal Prince Gilchang from the Andong Gwon clan. She had:

1 older brother: Hong Sang-jae
3 younger brothers:
*Hong Hye-chan
*Hong Gae-do
*Hong Chang-do

Her paternal great-great-grandfather was Hong Baek-su, the younger brother of Hong Bok-won who was surrendered to Mongolian side during the long war between Korea and Mongolia. King Chungsuk's 5th wife, Consort Su was her maternal cousin.

Marriage and Palace life

Firstly, her father, Hong-Tak was an ambassador from Gyeongsang Province and when King Chunghye heard her beauty, he then gave Hong-Tak clothes and alcohol, also bestowed Royal title Splendid Consort to Lady Hong in 1342. At this time, the King's other consort, Lady Im who entered the palace two years earlier than Hong fell jealous and then the King appointed Im as Princess Euncheon to comforted her.
Rather than stayed in the palace, Hong instead lived in Prime Minister Yun-Chim 's manor, so Chunghye can travel easier when he wanted to met her. However, his love and interest on her were grew tired and cut off within a few days. As a result, they didn't have any issue. According to Goryeosa, in 1343, Chunghye visited Hong's house again.