Deposed Queen Shin

Early life and lineage

Lady Shin was born during the reign of King Seongjong, as the fourth daughter among three sons and five daughters. Her father was Shin Seung-seon (신승선), who would later become chief state councilor, and her mother was County Princess Jungmo (중모현주), the eldest daughter of Grand Prince Imyong. As a great-granddaughter of King Sejong, Lady Shin was a second cousin once removed of her future husband and her illustrious lineage made her one of the most highborn royal consorts throughout the Joseon period.

Marriage

In 1487, Lady Shin became engaged to Crown Prince Yung (later known as Yeonsangun/Prince Yeonsan), the eldest son of King Seongjong. They were married in early 1488 and Lady Shin became crown princess; she had just turned 12, while the crown prince was a few days older. This was the first case of an investiture without a selection process since Joseon was established almost a century earlier.

Lady Shin's first child, Princess Hwisin, was born in 1491, then a second daughter in 1492 or 1493, a short-lived son in 1494, and a third daughter in 1495.

After several months of illness, King Seongjong died on 29 January 1495 and the crown prince (henceforth called Yeonsangun) acceded to the throne. Lady Shin thus became queen.

As queen

Following the end of the mourning period for the late king, Lady Shin gave birth to her eldest surviving son, Yi Hwang, in 1498. Her second surviving son, Yi Seong, was born two years later, then another son, who would die in infancy, in 1501. Shin Seung-seon died in 1502 and Yeonsangun prevented the heavily pregnant Lady Shin from mourning her father, likely out of fear that it would affect her health; this last pregnancy ultimately resulted in a stillborn son.

In 1499, Lady Shin's 12-year-old niece (the future Queen Dangyeong) was married to Grand Prince Jinseong, Yeonsangun's half-brother and the only son of Queen Dowager Jasun.

Yeonsangun had grown up believing Queen Dowager Jasun to be his biological mother, and only discovered he was the son of the Deposed Queen Yun after reading King Seongjong's epitaph. This revelation is thought to have caused his descent into madness. In 1504, he unleashed the Second Literati Purge, punishing and executing anyone he considered to have contributed to his mother's downfall, while at the same time cleansing the court of dissidents. During this period, Yeonsangun stood outside Queen Dowager Jasun's chambers with a long sword in hand, ordering her to come out. It was Lady Shin who intervened to dissuade him and calm the situation.

Lady Shin often remonstrated against her husband's dissolute and immoral behavior, and although he ignored her pleas, Yeonsangun did not become estranged from her. On the contrary, he praised Lady Shin's conduct, while her relatives were promoted and shielded from crime. In 1505, he also bestowed upon her the honorific title Jein Wondeok (제인원덕; 齊仁元德; lit. ''uniform benevolence, primary virtue'').

Husband's deposition and aftermath

In 1506, a coup d'état orchestrated by Park Won-jong, Seong Hui-an, Ryu Sun-jong and Hong Gyeong-ju (홍경주) put Grand Prince Jinseong (posthumously King Jungjong) on the throne.

Yeonsangun was demoted to princely rank and exiled, subsequently dying two months later; his last words were allegedly, "I miss my wife, Lady Shin" (아내 신씨가 보고 싶다). Lady Shin lost her position as queen and her request to be exiled alongside Yeonsangun was refused; instead, she was sent to her parents' residence. Her two sons were sentenced to death shortly after arriving at their place of exile and her three elder brothers were executed. Her niece, who was married to King Jungjong, became the new queen only to be deposed after one week.

Later life and death

In 1512, Lady Shin successfully petitioned for the relocation of Yeonsangun's tomb from Ganghwa to its current site. In 1521, when her house collapsed due to heavy rain, King Jungjong granted her the confiscated residence of An Cheo-gyeom (안처겸).

Lady Shin died at the age of 60, having survived her husband by 30 years. She was buried alongside him within Yeonsangunmyo (연산군묘), in present-day Dobong District, Seoul. The tombs of their daughter, Princess Hwisin, and son-in-law, Gu Mun-gyeong (구문경), are also located in the grounds.

The memorial rites for Lady Shin and Yeonsangun were performed by Princess Hwisin's son, Gu Eom (구엄), and upon Gu Eom's death, the duty was assumed by his only legitimate daughter's adoptive son, Yi An-nul (이안눌).

Evaluation

According to the Veritable Records of the Joseon Dynasty, Lady Shin was peaceful, dignified, gentle and discreet. She was regarded as a virtuous wife and wise mother, and since her time as crown princess, she was respectful to superiors and benevolent to subordinates. Furthermore, she was one of the few people who gave frank advice to Yeonsangun.