CHINA

The Manchu Dynasty

(Ta Ch’ing Ch’ao )

1850 - 1861 H.I.M. Emperor Hsien-fêng [Wên Tsung Hsien Huang Ti] [Hsieh T’ien I Yün Chih Chung Ch’ui Mu Mou Tê Chên Wu Shêng Hsiao Yüan Kung Tuan Jên K’uan Ming Hsien], the Great Illustrious Emperor of the Great Ch’ing Dynasty, Son of Heaven, Lord of Myriad Years, etc. b. in the Hall of Clear Tranquility, Garden of Perfection and Brightness, Peking, 17^th July 1831, as Yi Ning, educ. privately. Appointed as Heir Apparent (secret) 7^th August 1846. Succeeded on the death of his father, 25^th February 1850. Proclaimed 9^th March 1850. m. twenty-eight wives, including (first) 1848, H.I.M. Empress Hsiao Te-hsien (b. 1835; d. 24^th January 1850), raised to the rank of Empress of the West with the title of Hsiao Tung Kong Hsi Kung Huang Hou, raised to the posthumous title of Hsiao Te-hsien Huang Hou 10^th March 1850, elder daughter of Muyangga, of the Sakota clan, sometime First Sec of a Labour Tribunal, and sister of Empress Tzu An. m. (second) 26^th June 1852, H.I.M. Empress Hsiao Cheng-hsien (b. 1837; d. at Peking, 9^th April 1881), granted the title of Chen Pin14^th July 1852, prom. to Chen Kuei Fei, and to Empress with the title of Hsiao Chen Hsien Huang Hou and style of Her Majesty 28^th November 1852, prom. to Empress Dowager with the title of Huang T’ai Hou Tzu An in November 1861, Co-Regent 22^nd August 1861- April 1881, and received the posthumous titlea of Hsiao Cheng-hsien Huang Hou 19^th April 1881 and Jian Yü Ching He Jing Cheng Jing Yi Tian Zuo Sheng Hsien 13^th November 1908, younger daughter of Muyangga, Duke Yujiyang, of the Niuhuru clan. m. (third) 26^th June 1852, H.I.M. the Grand Empress Dowager Tzu Hsi [Yi] (b. 17^th November 1834 or 29^th November 1835; d. at Peking, 15^th November 1908, bur. Dzunhua Mausoleum, Hebei), granted the titles of Yi Ta Ying 26^th June 1852, prom. to Yi Kuei Jen 13^th January 1854, prom. to Yi Shou Fei 27^th January 1857, Yi Kuei Fei 27^th December 1856, Empress with the title of Hsii Kung Huang Hou and style of Her Majesty November 1861, to Empress Dowager with the title of Huang T’ai Hou Tzu Hsi, to Grand Empress Dowager 13^th November 1908 with the title of T’ai Huang T’ai Hou, and the posthumous title of Hsiao Chin Hsien Huang Hou Tuan-Yü-K’ang-I-Chao-Yü Chuang-Cheng-Shou-Kung-Ch’in-Hsien-Ch’ung-Hsi, Co-Regent 22^nd August 1861- November 1881, and sole Regent November 1881-4^th March 1889 and 22^nd September 1898-15^th November 1908, rcvd: GC of the Orders of the Precious Crown of Japan, and St Catherine of Russia (28.5.1897), daughter of Captain Kuei Siang, Duke Hui-cheng, of the Ye’honala clan. m. (a) Yü Fei (d.s.p. at Peking, 3^rd June 1885). He d. in the Hall of Refreshing Mists and Waves, Imperial Summer Palace, Jehol, 22^nd August 1861 (bur. Ting-ling Mausoleum, Hebei), having had issue, two sons and two daughters:

• 1) H.I.H. Prince (Huang Tzu) Tsai-chun, who succeeded as H.I.M. Emperor T’ung-chih [Mu Tsung Yi Huang Ti], Great Emperor of the Great Ching Dynasty (s/o Empress Hsiao ch’in) - see below.
• 2) H.I.H. Prince (Huang Tzu) Tsai-…(s/o Li Fei?). He d. young.
• 1) H.I.H. Princess (Ku Lun Kung Chu) Jung-shou. b. February 1854.
• 2) H.I.H. Princess (Ku Lun Kung Chu) Jung-an. b. 1855 (d/o a concubine). m. 1873, Lieutenant-General H.E. Prince (Ku Lun E Fu) Fu-chên, 10^th Prince Hsiung-yung (d. 1910), of the Plain White Banner, Supt. of Livestock 1889, a descendant of Tulai. She d. 1875.