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Empress Gao (Song dynasty)
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | Empress Gao |
| image | 宣仁聖烈皇后.jpg |
| birth_date | 1032 |
| death_date | |
| spouse | Emperor Yingzong of Song |
| issue | Emperor Shenzong of Song |
| Zhao Hao, Prince Wurong | |
| Zhao Yan, Prince Run | |
| Zhao Yun, Prince Yiduanxian | |
| Princess Hehui | |
| Princess Xianhui | |
| Princess Xiande | |
| Princess De’an | |
| father | Gao Chunxian, Prince Chun |
| mother | Lady Cao |
| consort | yes |
| reign | 1065–1067 |
| succession | Empress consort of the Song dynasty |
| reign1 | 1067–1085 |
| succession1 | Empress dowager of the Song dynasty |
| reign2 | 1085–1093 |
| succession2 | Grand empress dowager of the Song dynasty |
Zhao Hao, Prince Wurong Zhao Yan, Prince Run Zhao Yun, Prince Yiduanxian Princess Hehui Princess Xianhui Princess Xiande Princess De’an
Empress Gao (1032–1093) was a Chinese empress of the Song dynasty, married to Emperor Yingzong. She served as the regent of China during the minority of her grandson, Emperor Zhezong, from 1085 until her death in 1093.
Life
Gao was from Mencheng in Hao Province. She was the niece of her predecessor, her maternal aunt Empress Cao, who was the empress of Emperor Renzong of Song. She was chosen as the principal consort of the heir apparent by her aunt, Empress Cao. She had four sons and four daughters.
In 1063, Emperor Yingzong succeeded Emperor Renzong, and Gao became Empress. In 1067, her spouse was succeeded by her son, Emperor Shenzong of Song, and she was named Empress Dowager. Her tenure as empress consort and empress dowager was undistinguished, and she had no power or influence during the reign of her spouse or son. During her son Shenzong's reign, she opposed the reform policy of Wang Anshi and supported Sima Guang.
Regency
Upon the death of her son Shenzong in 1085, her underage grandson became Emperor Zhezong of Song. She was elevated to Grand Empress Dowager and became regent of China during the minority of her grandson.
As Regent, Gao appointed conservatives such as Sima Guang as chancellor, who discontinued the New Policies initiated by Wang Anshi. She has been traditionally recommended for her intelligence and good judgement in choosing officials, and her refusal to admit any influence to her relatives. Gao was unwilling to retire when the emperor reached the age of seventeen, traditionally the age of majority. Her grandson the emperor favored the reformists of his father and resented both the conservatism and domineering ways of his grandmother.
Gao kept her position of regent until her death. On her deathbed, she advised her officials to retire.
Notes
References
- Lily Xiao Hong Lee, Sue Wiles: ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=Cw0pAwAAQBAJ&q=Biographical+Dictionary+of+Chinese+Women,+Volume+II:+Tang+Through+Ming+618+... Biographical Dictionary of Chinese Women, Volume II: Tang Through Ming 618 - 1644]''
- (2011-10-05). "Beyond Exemplar Tales". Univ of California Press.
- McMahon, Keith. (2016-04-21). "Celestial Women: Imperial Wives and Concubines in China from Song to Qing". Rowman & Littlefield.
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