Wanyang Pudaebuin


Grand Internal Princess Consort Wanyang, of the Jeonju Choi clan, was a member of the Joseon royal family, as the legitimate wife of Grand Internal Prince Jeongye. As the primary consort, she became the adoptive mother of King Cheoljong of Joseon and was given the royal title after his ascension. She also bore Jeongye a son, Prince Hoepyeong.

Biography

The future Grand Internal Princess Consort Wanyang was born on 19 February 1804 in Yeonji-dong, as the daughter of Choi Su-chang and his wife, Lady Yi of the Gwangju Yi clan. Her paternal grandfather was Choi Jong-hyeong, who was an immediate descendant of Choi Sun-jak. Choi Sun-jak served as a general in the Goryeo period, and was one of the progenitors of clan. Her direct ancestor was Duke Pyeongdo Jukjeong Choi Yu-gyeong, who served as a public servant in the late Goryeo for King Gongyang and King U, and for King Taejo, King Jeongjong, and King Taejong during the early Joseon Dynasty.
Lady Choi was said to have always been at ease despite difficult family circumstances and according to Cheoljong's Annals, she lived peacefully with Grand Internal Prince Jeongye's two concubines.
In 1830, when King Sunjo gave a special order to release members of Prince Euneon's family from exile, she and her husband were able to live in Hanseong again.
The Princess Consort died on her birthday, 19 February 1840 at the age of 36 in her husband's private residence, Gyeonghaeng Hall.

Tomb

Her tomb was first located in Jungheung-dong, Hado-myeon, Yangju-gun, Gyeonggi Province, but was relocated to Seondan-dong and joined to Jeongye Daewongun's tomb on the right side. It was built by Kim Jwa-geun, Queen Sunwon's younger brother, in 1851 along with her tombstone.

Family