Princess Cheonmyeong of Silla


Princess Cheonmyeong was a princess of Silla, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. She is known as Queen Seondeok's sister and King Taejong Muyeol's mother.
Princess Cheonmyeong was married to Kim Yongsu, with whom she had a son, Kim Chunchu. After Kim Chunchu was enthroned as a King of Silla, she was then given the posthumous name; Queen Dowager Munjeong.

Biography

Princess Cheonmyeong was a daughter of King Jinpyeong and Queen Maya of Silla. Her sister, Queen Seondeok became the first female ruler of Korea. It is not clear which of them was older but it is widely believe that Cheonmyeong was older than her.
It is said that Princess Cheonmyeong was in love with Kim Yongchu. When the talk of her marriage has come, Princess Cheonmyeong went to the Queen and told her that she cannot marry anyone else because there is already a man who owns her heart. Queen Maya asked her who that man is, Princess Cheonmyeong tried to say "Kim Yongchun" but because she was crying and stuttered on her reply, the Queen thought that she was talking about Kim Yongchu's brother "Kim Yongsu". Kim Yongsu was aware of Princess Cheonmyeong's feelings for his brother and decided to ask him to marry Princess Cheonmyeong on his stead. But Kim Yongchun refused out of respect for his brother who might end up a laughing stock since their wedding was already announced. The Queen tried to convinced him as well but he refused her as well with the same reason. And so, Princess Cheonmyeong and Kim Yongsu got married. But Princess Cheonmyeong wasn't able to forget her love even after years has passed.
On his death bed, Kim Yongsu asked his brother once again to marry Princess Cheonmyeong and to take his son as his own as his dying wish. Kim Yongchun finally agreed and married Princess Cheonmyeong and took Kim Chunchu as his own.
After Kim Chunchu was crowned as the 29th king of Silla, Princess Cheonmyeong was named as Queen Dowager Munjeong.

Family