Royal Consort Ik-Bi Explained

Royal Consort Ik-Bi Han
익비 한씨
Succession:Royal consort of Goryeo
Reign:1366–1374
Reign-Type:Tenure
Coronation:1366
Predecessor:Royal Consort Hye
Successor:Royal Consort Jeong
Father:Wang Ui, Prince Deokpung
Issue:a daughter (illegitimate)
Birth Date:1340
Birth Place:Goryeo
House:House of Wang (by birth)
Han clan (by marriage)
Royal Consort Ik of the Wang(Han) clan
Hangul:익비 왕(한)씨
Hanja:
Rr:Ikbi Wang(Han)ssi
Mr:Ikpi Wang(Han)ssi

Royal Consort Ik of the Gaeseong Wang (Han) clan (; 1340 – ?) was the 4th wife of her eleventh cousin, King Gongmin of Goryeo as they were same descents from King Hyeonjong and Queen Wonhye.[1]

Marriage and palace life

In October 1366 (15th year reign of Gongmin), he took Wang as his Queen Consort since he didn't have any issue from his first marriage.[2] Then, in December, she became Ik-Bi and was given the new surname Han .[3] Later in May 1367, along with Consort Ahn, they went to Gorari and watched Gyeoggu Game .

However, in 1373 (21st year reign of King Gongmin), his first wife, Princess Noguk died which reportedly mentally unbalanced him. He then ordered members of the Jajewi ('Noble Youth Guards'), an elite group of young and handsome men, to have sex with his consorts to impregnate them.[4] At this time, Gracious Consort Yi, Consort Yeom and Consort Ahn refused the order. Ik-Bi also refused it, but Gongmin threatened her with a sword so she was forced to have relationships with Han Ahn, Hong Ryun, Gwon Jin, Hong Gwan and No Seon under Gongmin's watch. After this, the men often went to her chamber at night under the pretext of fulfilling the King’s order.[5] However, Yun Ga-gwan along with two other self-defense committee members disobeyed the King's command and became delinquents for a while.[6]

It is written in the Life of Hong Ryoun (Hong Ryun) that in 1374, the eunuch Choi Man-Seng reported to King Gongmin that Consort Ik was in her fifth month of pregnancy. The King was greatly pleased by this, and asked who was the father. When he learned that it was Hong Ryun, he told the eunuch that he would now have to kill him and the entire group of Jajewi men in order to keep the secret of her baby's paternity.[7] Choi reported this to Hong's group and later, on 22 September, they assassinated Gongmin in his sleep. Hong was eventually assassinated by Yi In-im related forces and then Ik-Bi gave birth to their daughter on 1 October (lunar calendar).

In 1390 (2nd year reign of King Gongyang), the former consort (Ik-Bi) was given land by the king after she raised his youngest daughter, Princess Gyeonghwa at her own mansion.

Family

In popular culture

TV series

Film

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: Young-kyoo, Park. 2000. 한권으로읽는고려왕조실록. Annals of the Goryeo Dynasty in one volume. ko. 12. University of Michigan. Deullyeok. 9788975271540.
  2. Web site: 왕씨와 안씨를 각기 익비와 정비로 책봉하다. db.history.go.kr. July 5, 2021. ko.
  3. Web site: 권력의 희생양이 된 공민왕의 후비들. www.culturecontent.com. July 5, 2021. ko.
  4. Web site: 자제위를 설치해 온갖 불륜을 저지르게 하다. db.history.go.kt. July 5, 2021. ko.
  5. Web site: 김흥경이 자제위를 총괄하다. db.history.go.kr. July 5, 2021. ko.
  6. Web site: 윤가관. db.history.go.kr. July 5, 2021. ko.
  7. Web site: 익비의 임신 사실을 확인한 공민왕이 홍륜의 주살을 계획하다. db.history.go.kr. July 5, 2021. ko.