Empress Chen (Longqing)

Empress Chen (died 1596) was a Chinese Empress consort of the Ming Dynasty, married to the Longqing Emperor.

Empress Xiaoan

In this Chinese name, the family name is Chen (陳).

The future emperor Longqing married Lady Chen after the death of his first primary spouse and son. Upon his succession to the throne in 1567, he declared Chen to be his empress. In 1569, however, she lost favor with the emperor and was moved to a separate palace. She became ill after her move, and was not given proper care. When an official pointed this out to the emperor, he stated that empress Chen was prone to illness and did not have any son and therefore had to be removed, and that the official did not understand his domestic affairs.[1] Another reason for her removal was reportedly that she had at one occasion made the emperor angry by criticizing his indulgence in women and music.[2]

Chen, however, were kindly treated by the crown prince, who took to habit of always visiting her on his way to his father and mother. When the crown prince became emperor in 1572, he granted her as well as his mother the title of empress dowager, and reportedly always treated her with the respect a son was due to his mother, as was customary for a son to the main spouse of his father.[3]

Notes
  1. Keith McMahon: Celestial Women: Imperial Wives and Concubines in China from Song to Qing
  2. Keith McMahon: Celestial Women: Imperial Wives and Concubines in China from Song to Qing
  3. Keith McMahon: Celestial Women: Imperial Wives and Concubines in China from Song to Qing
  • Keith McMahon: Celestial Women: Imperial Wives and Concubines in China from Song to Qing
Chinese royalty
Preceded by
Empress Xiaolie		 Empress of China
1567–1572		 Succeeded by
Empress Xiaoduanxian
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