Princess Jinling – The banished Princess

Princess Jinling was the daughter of Emperor Xiaowen of the Eastern Jin Dynasty. She was also the sister of Emperor An and Emperor Gong of the Eastern Jin Dynasty. However, her life was often fraught with tragedy.^[1] During Duke Liu Yu’s regency, Princess Jinling’s husband, Duke Xie Hun of Chen, was executed.^[2] Therefore, Princess Jinling was a very unhappy princess.^[3]

The birthdate of Princess Jinling is unknown.^[4] Her personal name is unknown. She was given the title of Princess of Jinling.^[5] She was the daughter of Emperor Xiaowen of the Eastern Jin Dynasty. Her mother was one of Emperor Xiaowen’s imperial concubines whose name is not recorded.^[6] Princess Jinling had two brothers named Sima Dezong (who would later become Emperor An) and Sima Dewen (who would later become Emperor Gong). She also had a sister who would become known in history as Princess Poyang.^[7]

It is unknown when Princess Jinling married Duke Xie Hun of Chen.^[8] Duke Xie Hun was the grandson of Xie An and the son of Xie Yan.^[9] It is unknown if she had any children.^[10] On 6 November 396 C.E., Emperor Xiaowu was murdered by his favourite imperial concubine, Imperial Consort Zhang.^[11] Emperor Xiaowu was succeeded by Emperor An. Emperor An was mentally disabled and could not speak.^[12] Therefore, he needed a regent.^[13] In 405 C.E., the regent of the Eastern Jin Dynasty was Liu Yu (the Duke of Song).^[14]

In 412 C.E., Princess Jinling’s husband, Duke Xie Hun of Chen, offended Duke Liu Yu.^[15] Duke Liu Yu executed Duke Xie Hun of Chen.^[16] Her husband’s execution forced Princess Jinling to leave the Xie family.^[17] On 28 January 419 C.E., Duke Liu Yu installed Emperor Gong on the throne.^[18] On 7 July 420 C.E., Emperor Gong abdicated.^[19] This marked the end of the Jin Dynasty.^[20] Liu Yu ascended the throne as Emperor Wu and founded the new Liu-Song Dynasty.^[21]

Shortly after the founding of the Liu-Song Dynasty, Princess Jinling was demoted to Princess of Dongxiang.^[22] However, she was allowed to return to the Xie family because of her “good morals.”^[23] After she returned to the Xie family, the rest of Princess Jinling’s life is unknown.^[24] She died in 432 C.E..

There is very little information known about Princess Jinling.^[25] However, it is clear that she faced many hardships.^[26] Her husband was executed, and she was cast out by her husband’s family.^[27] Princess Jinling was even demoted to Princess of Dongxiang.^[28] Because of her virtues, she was finally able to return to the Xie family.^[29] Princess Jinling also witnessed the fall of the Jin Dynasty and the beginning of the founding of the Liu-Song Dynasty.

Sources:

iNews. (n.d.). “The Tragic Life of Sima Dewen, Emperor Gong of Jin”. Retrieved on 30 November 2024 from https://inf.news/en/history/6fcd788fe04aeaa0953af1e2df30f101.html#google_vignette.

McMahon, K. (2013). Women Shall Not Rule: Imperial Wives and Concubines in China from Han to Liao. NY: Rowman and Littlefield.

Theobald, U. (16 June2018). “Jin Andi 晉安帝 Sima Dezong 司馬德宗”. Chinaknowledge.de- An Encyclopedia on Chinese History, Literature, and Art. Retrieved on 28 November 2024 from http://www.chinaknowledge.de/History/Division/personsjinandi.html.