Empress Dowager Yingtian
Encyclopedia
Empress Dowager Yingtian (Chinese
: 应天皇后) (879–953) was empress dowager
of the Liao Empire
from the time of her husband Abaoji’s death in 926 to her own death in 953. She was directly involved in two imperial successions and is credited with changing expectations of widows in Khitan
society.
, died in 926, she was directly involved in the succession of her son, Deguang, to the throne. Abaoji/Taizu had designated Prince Bei
, his eldest son, as successor in 916 in an effort to introduce the Chinese notion of primogeniture
to the succession process. This was a dramatic change from Khitan
norms.
However, Prince Bei
was not seen by either Yingtian or the Khitan nobility as being worthy of succession. She urged that the second son, Deguang
was more worthy of succession and her husband then named him as heir. Her primary concern regarding Prince Bei
seems to have been his addiction to Chinese learning.
Deguang
exhibited the ideal qualities of a steppe leader, and while Prince Bei
also displayed martial prowess demanded of the steppe, he himself admitted that his qualifications were inferior to those of his younger brother.
When he warred with the Later Jin
, Yingtian pointed out this only cost them a lot, without gaining lands in return they could keep. Neither side wanted to be ruled by the other, she argued, so peaceful coexistence should be the objective.
, died in 947 while on campaign in China
, Yingtian once again demanded to be involved in the succession. Taizong’s obvious favorite was his nephew known as Ruan
(also known as Wuyu), the son of Prince Bei
, who had been killed in China in 936.
However, Yingtian supported her third son, Prince Lihu, to ascend to the Liao throne. She dispatched an army to intercept Ruan on his return to the capital. However, unlike the case with Deguang, Prince Lihu failed to get the support of the Khitan nobility, due largely to his own violent behavior. Furthermore, as Ruan was on campaign with his uncle on his death, he was able to readily secure the support of important army commanders.
When Ruan, known as Emperor Shizong
ascended to the throne, he had both his grandmother and uncle exiled from the capital.
Chinese character
Chinese characters are logograms used in the writing of Chinese and Japanese , less frequently Korean , formerly Vietnamese , or other languages...
: 应天皇后) (879–953) was empress dowager
Empress Dowager
Empress Dowager was the title given to the mother of a Chinese, Korean, Japanese or Vietnamese emperor.The title was also given occasionally to another woman of the same generation, while a woman from the previous generation was sometimes given the title of Grand empress dowager. Numerous empress...
of the Liao Empire
Liao Dynasty
The Liao Dynasty , also known as the Khitan Empire was an empire in East Asia that ruled over the regions of Manchuria, Mongolia, and parts of northern China proper between 9071125...
from the time of her husband Abaoji’s death in 926 to her own death in 953. She was directly involved in two imperial successions and is credited with changing expectations of widows in Khitan
Khitan people
thumb|250px|Khitans [[Eagle hunting|using eagles to hunt]], painted during the Chinese [[Song Dynasty]].The Khitan people , or Khitai, Kitan, or Kidan, were a nomadic Mongolic people, originally located at Mongolia and Manchuria from the 4th century...
society.
Succession of Taizong
When her husband, who was posthumously known as Emperor TaizuEmperor Taizu of Liao
The Emperor Taizu of Liao was the first emperor of the Liao Dynasty . His given name was Abaoji . Some sources also suggest that the surname Yelü was adopted during his lifetime, though there is no unanimity on this point....
, died in 926, she was directly involved in the succession of her son, Deguang, to the throne. Abaoji/Taizu had designated Prince Bei
Prince Bei
Prince Bei, fully Yelü Bei , officially Emperor Yizong of Liao , was the eldest son of Abaoji, the founder of the Liao Dynasty. He was declared successor to the first emperor of the Liao Empire in 916, but never succeeded to the throne...
, his eldest son, as successor in 916 in an effort to introduce the Chinese notion of primogeniture
Primogeniture
Primogeniture is the right, by law or custom, of the firstborn to inherit the entire estate, to the exclusion of younger siblings . Historically, the term implied male primogeniture, to the exclusion of females...
to the succession process. This was a dramatic change from Khitan
Khitan people
thumb|250px|Khitans [[Eagle hunting|using eagles to hunt]], painted during the Chinese [[Song Dynasty]].The Khitan people , or Khitai, Kitan, or Kidan, were a nomadic Mongolic people, originally located at Mongolia and Manchuria from the 4th century...
norms.
However, Prince Bei
Prince Bei
Prince Bei, fully Yelü Bei , officially Emperor Yizong of Liao , was the eldest son of Abaoji, the founder of the Liao Dynasty. He was declared successor to the first emperor of the Liao Empire in 916, but never succeeded to the throne...
was not seen by either Yingtian or the Khitan nobility as being worthy of succession. She urged that the second son, Deguang
Emperor Taizong of Liao
The Emperor Taizong of Liao , born as Yelü Deguang , was the second emperor of the Khitan Empire .-Succession to the Throne:...
was more worthy of succession and her husband then named him as heir. Her primary concern regarding Prince Bei
Prince Bei
Prince Bei, fully Yelü Bei , officially Emperor Yizong of Liao , was the eldest son of Abaoji, the founder of the Liao Dynasty. He was declared successor to the first emperor of the Liao Empire in 916, but never succeeded to the throne...
seems to have been his addiction to Chinese learning.
Deguang
Emperor Taizong of Liao
The Emperor Taizong of Liao , born as Yelü Deguang , was the second emperor of the Khitan Empire .-Succession to the Throne:...
exhibited the ideal qualities of a steppe leader, and while Prince Bei
Prince Bei
Prince Bei, fully Yelü Bei , officially Emperor Yizong of Liao , was the eldest son of Abaoji, the founder of the Liao Dynasty. He was declared successor to the first emperor of the Liao Empire in 916, but never succeeded to the throne...
also displayed martial prowess demanded of the steppe, he himself admitted that his qualifications were inferior to those of his younger brother.
When he warred with the Later Jin
Later Jin Dynasty (Five Dynasties)
Note that there are four periods of Chinese history using the name "Jin" The Later Jìn was one of the Five Dynasties during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period in China. It was founded by Shi Jingtang, posthumously known as Gaozu of Later Jin...
, Yingtian pointed out this only cost them a lot, without gaining lands in return they could keep. Neither side wanted to be ruled by the other, she argued, so peaceful coexistence should be the objective.
Succession of Shizong
When her son, TaizongEmperor Taizong of Liao
The Emperor Taizong of Liao , born as Yelü Deguang , was the second emperor of the Khitan Empire .-Succession to the Throne:...
, died in 947 while on campaign in China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, Yingtian once again demanded to be involved in the succession. Taizong’s obvious favorite was his nephew known as Ruan
Emperor Shizong of Liao
The Emperor Shizong of Liao , born as Yelü Ruan , also known as Wuyu, was the third emperor of Liao dynasty, reigning from 16 May 947 to 7 October 951. He is the son of Prince Bei, the eldest son of Abaoji, the founder of the Khitan Empire...
(also known as Wuyu), the son of Prince Bei
Prince Bei
Prince Bei, fully Yelü Bei , officially Emperor Yizong of Liao , was the eldest son of Abaoji, the founder of the Liao Dynasty. He was declared successor to the first emperor of the Liao Empire in 916, but never succeeded to the throne...
, who had been killed in China in 936.
However, Yingtian supported her third son, Prince Lihu, to ascend to the Liao throne. She dispatched an army to intercept Ruan on his return to the capital. However, unlike the case with Deguang, Prince Lihu failed to get the support of the Khitan nobility, due largely to his own violent behavior. Furthermore, as Ruan was on campaign with his uncle on his death, he was able to readily secure the support of important army commanders.
When Ruan, known as Emperor Shizong
Emperor Shizong of Liao
The Emperor Shizong of Liao , born as Yelü Ruan , also known as Wuyu, was the third emperor of Liao dynasty, reigning from 16 May 947 to 7 October 951. He is the son of Prince Bei, the eldest son of Abaoji, the founder of the Khitan Empire...
ascended to the throne, he had both his grandmother and uncle exiled from the capital.