Queen Heonae , also known as Queen Dowager Cheonchu, was the third Queen consort of King Gyeongjong of Goryeo.
Background
Queen Heonae was born into the Hwangju branch of the royal house of the Kingdom of Goryeo. Her father, Wang UK (Hangul: 왕욱, Hanja: 王旭), was the seventh son of King Taejo of Goryeo by his fourth wife, Queen Sinjeong (Hangul: 신정왕후, Hanja: 神靜王后). Although a male-line descendant of King Taejo, Queen Heonae did not carry the surname of the Goryeo royal family, Wang (Hangul: 왕, Hanja: 王).
Career
Her life story was the basis for the drama Empress Cheonchu. She had one older brother, Wang Chi, the future King Seongjong of Goryeo, and one younger sister who eventually became the mother of King Hyeonjong of Goryeo. She was the sister of King Seongjong of Goryeo, who succeeded her spouse as throne.
However, she contracted a marriage of consent with Kim Chi-yang, and gave birth to a Kim Chi-yang"s son.
When Kim Chi-yang burned the Manwoldae, royal palace, to the ground, threatening to kill the King and take over, King Mokjong called General Gang Jo to the capital city of Kaesong. General Gang Jo immediately executed Kim Chi-Yang and his supporters.
Then, the scholar officials, enemies of Gang Jo, spread rumors and lies that the general was planning to take over the government for himself. These rumors reached the King, and he planned to kill Gang Jo.
Gang Jo heard of the conspiracy and doubts of the King, and ordered his army to attack and kill all of his enemies, including the king.
After assassinating King Mokjong, General Gang placed King Hyeonjong of Goryeo on the throne. Queen Cheonchu was exiled to Hwangju. In 1029, she returned to the royal court and died in her chamber at Sungdeok Palace.
Paternal grandfather
King Taejo of Goryeo
Paternal grandmother
Queen Sinjeong (Hangul: 신정왕후, Hanja: 神靜王后) (c900 - 983), of the Hwangju Hwangbo clan (Hangul: 황주군 황보씨, Hanja: 黃州郡 皇甫氏), daughter of Hwangbo Jegong (Hangul: 황보제공, Hanja: 皇甫悌恭), King Taejo"s fourth wife
Maternal grandfather
King Taejo of Goryeo
Maternal grandmother
Queen Jeongdeok (Hangul: 정덕왕후, Hanja: 貞德王后), of the Jeongju Yu clan (Hangul: 정주유씨, Hanja: 貞州柳氏), daughter of Yu Deokyeong (Hangul: 유덕영, Hanja: 柳德英), King Taejo"s fifth wife
Father
Wang UK (Hangul: 왕욱, Hanja: 王旭) (c930 - 969), Prince of Hwangju (Hangul: 황주원군, Hanja: 黃州院君), posthumously honored as King Daezong (Hangul: 대종, Hanja: 戴宗), King Taejo"s seventh son
Mother
Queen Seonui (posthumously honored) (Hangul: 선의왕후, Hanja: 宣義王后), carried her mother"s surname Yu (Hangul: 유, Hanja: 柳)
Husbands
King Gyeongjong of Goryeo
Kim Chi-yang (Hangul: 김치양, Hanja: 金致陽)
Siblings
King Seongjong of Goryeo
Queen Heonjeong
Sons
King Mokjong of Goryeo, son of King Gyeongjong (980 - 1009)
Unnamed son of Kim Chi-yang (1003–1009).