Empress Wang 王皇后 | |
---|---|
Empress consort of the Tang dynasty | |
Tenure | 12 February 650[1] – 16 November 655[2] |
Predecessor | Empress Zhangsun |
Successor | Empress Wu |
Princess Consort of Jin | |
Tenure | 7th century – 30 April 643 |
Crown Princess of the Tang dynasty | |
Tenure | 30 April 643 – 15 July 649 |
Predecessor | Crown Princess Su |
Born | c. 628[3] Bing Prefecture, Tang dynasty |
Died | 3 December 655 Chang'an, Tang dynasty | (aged 26–27)
Spouse | Emperor Gaozong of Tang |
House | Wang |
Father | Wang Renyou |
Mother | Lady Liu (daughter of Liu Ze and sister of Liu Shi) |
Empress Wang (c. 628 – c.November 655[4]) was an empress of the Chinese Tang dynasty. She was the first wife and empress of Emperor Gaozong and became empress shortly after he became emperor in 649. She, however, did not bear any sons for him and was not favored. Therefore, in apprehension that one of his concubines, Pure Consort Xiao, who was both favored and had a son, might seek to displace her, she recommended a former concubine of Emperor Gaozong's father Emperor Taizong, Consort Wu (later known as Wu Zetian), to be Emperor Gaozong's concubine as well, hoping to divert favor from Consort Xiao. Soon, however, Consort Wu became dominant in the palace and overwhelmed both Empress Wang and Consort Xiao, eventually accusing them of using witchcraft and conspiracy to poison against Emperor Gaozong. Emperor Gaozong reduced both Empress Wang and Consort Xiao to commoner rank and put them under arrest in 655, replacing Empress Wang with Consort Wu. Soon, as recorded in the New Book of Tang and Zizhi Tongjian, Empress Wang and Consort Xiao were cruelly tortured and executed on the new Empress Wu's orders.
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