Empress Li (960 – 7 April 1004[1]) was an empress consort of ancient China's Northern Song dynasty, married to Emperor Taizong. After his death, she was the empress dowager for her stepson Emperor Zhenzong.[2]

Quick Facts Empress Mingde 明德皇后, Tenure ...
Empress Mingde
明德皇后
Empress consort of the Song dynasty
Tenure984–997
PredecessorEmpress Xiaozhang
SuccessorEmpress Zhangmu
Empress Dowager of the Song Dynasty
Tenure997-1004
SuccessorEmpress Zhangxian
Born960
Changzhi, Shanxi
Died1004 (aged 4344)
Kaifeng, Henan
Burial
SpouseEmperor Taizong
Names
Family name: Lǐ (李)
Posthumous name
Empress Míngdé (明德皇后)
FatherLi Chuyun (李處耘)
MotherLady Chen (陳氏)
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Biography

The second daughter of Song general Li Chuyun, it was arranged that she marry Zhao Guangyi by Zhao Guangyi's elder brother Emperor Taizu of Song. After Emperor Taizu's death in 976, Zhao Guangyi became Emperor Taizong, and Lady Li officially became his imperial consort in 978. She was named empress on 10 January 985[3].[2]

Titles

  • During the reign of Emperor Taizu of Song (4 February 960– 14 November 976):
    • Lady Li (李氏; from 960
    • Princess Consort (王妃; from 976)
  • During the reign of Emperor Taizong of Song (15 November 976 – 8 May 997)
    • Empress (賀氏; from 984)
  • During the reign of Emperor Zhenzong of Song (8 May 997 – 23 March 1022 )
    • Empress Dowager (皇太后: from 997)
    • Empress Mingde (孝德皇后; from 22 April 1004[4])

Issue

As empress:

  • unnamed son (died soon after birth)

Notes and references

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