Queen Wondeok

She married Crown Prince Wang O in 1175, a year after his first wife's removal and became his second wife. On 1192, after 17 years married, they had a son, Wang Jin (the future Gojong, King Anhyo the Great).[7]

However, in 1197, her father-in-law, King Myeongjong was deposed and imprisoned in Changrak Palace by Choe Chung-heon and Choe Chung-su. As a result, her husband was also dethroned and got exiled to Ganghwa Island. Myeongjong's throne was given to his youngest brother, the 53-years-old Wang Tak and after his death, it was succeeded by his own son, Wang Yeong. Their life in Ganghwa were presumed to have been a life without any hope and must suffered a lot.

In 1212, she formally became Queen Consort and given royal title of Princess Yeondeok (연덕궁주, 延德宮主) following the 60-years-old her husband's succession to the throne after Huijong failed to attacked and was defeated by that two Choe brothers. It was already 14 years since they got exile to Ganghwa. She now came back to Manwoldae again. Although not her own daughter, but it seems that the Queen had raise her husband's first wife's daughter well and took good care on her as well as on her own son. When the Princess get married, Suryeong dedicated a tribute to Gangjong and her to thanked her for take care of her along this time.

It was believed that the Queen had virtuous qualities and beautiful figure. One year later, her husband fell ill and died while left her alone in the palace. His throne then succeeded by their only son, which she later became a queen mother (태후, 太后).[8] Although the date she formally became a queen mother was unknown, but in 1215, both she and King Gojong stayed in Western Cheongju Palace (청주동궁, 淸州洞宮) for a while. From this time, she was called as Grand Queen Mother (왕태후, 王太后)[9] but in 1216, her mother died. In order to mourn his maternal grandmother, Gojong was said to wore a So-bok (소복) for three days after her death.

In 1218, her son married one of his relative and one year later, their eldest son and child, Wang Jeon was born. In 1220, her brother, Marquess Yeongin died. In 1232, she left Sangdo (상도, 上都) and moved to Gangdo (강도, 江都) while her daughter-in-law died in the same year. Three years later, Wang Jeon married and in 1236, his eldest son, Wang Sim was born.

Meanwhile, the queen mother later died on her 72/3 years old in 1239 after life alone for more than 20 years. She then buried in Golleung Tomb (곤릉, 坤陵) which nowadays became the "Historic Site No. 371".[10] Also received her Posthumous name of Jeonggang (정강, 靖康) under Gojong's command in 1253.[6]

Based on

Her father-in-law, King Myeongjong was initially her mother's brother. So, both she and her husband were initially (maternal) first cousin and came from King Sukjong and Queen Myeongui's blood.[11]