Yi Hwa, Grand Prince Ŭian

Not to be confused with Yi Pangsŏk, Grand Prince Uian.

Yi Hwa (Korean: 이화; Hanja: 李和; 1348–1408) or Grand Prince Ŭian, was a warrior and scholar in the late Goryeo period who became part of the early Joseon dynasty royal family as the fourth son of Yi Chach'un,^[1] making him a younger half-brother to Yi Sŏnggye, its founder.

Yi Hwa
Grand Prince of Joseon (posthumously)
Count of Joseon Duke of Joseon[1]
Reign	1392–1408
Coronation	1392
Born	Yi Hwa 1348 Hwaju, Ssangseong Prefecture, Yuan
Died	6 October 1408 (aged 60/1) Hanseong-bu, Joseon
Burial	?? Pyeongnae-dong, Namyangju-si, Gyeonggi Province
Spouse	Lady An Lady No
Issue	7 sons and 1 daughter
House	Yi
Father	Yi Cha-ch'un
Mother	Lady Kim Koŭmga
Religion	Buddhism, later Korean Confucianism
Korean name
Hangul	의안대군
Hanja	義安大君
RR	Uian daegun
MR	Ŭian taegun
Art name
Hangul	이요정
Hanja	二樂亭
RR	Iyojeong
MR	Iyojŏng
Birth name
Hangul	이화
Hanja	李和
RR	I Hwa
MR	I Hwa
Posthumous name
Hangul	양소
Hanja	襄昭
RR	Yangso
MR	Yangso

Biography

He served as an assistant commander to his older half-brother, Yi Sŏnggye, then after he founded the Joseon dynasty^{[citation needed]} in 1392, Yi Hwa was honoured as Count Ŭian (의안백; 義安伯)^[2] and after helped his half nephew, Yi Pangwŏn in defeated in the 1st rebellion, Ŭian become Jeongsagongsin (정사공신).^[3]

Later in 1400, during the 2nd Princes Strife, Yi went out again under the command from Yi Pangwŏn. Ŭian, along with Yi Sukbŏn (이숙번; formally called Prince Anseong, 안성군) and Yi Paekgang (이백강; formally called Prince Cheongpyeong, 청평군) were got the target^[4] and succeeded in defeated Yi Panggan (이방간; formally called Grand Prince Hoean, 회안대군) and Yi Maengjong (이맹종; formally called Prince Uiryeong, 의령군), then he was promoted to Jwamyeonggongsin (좌명공신; 佐命功臣)^[5] along with 47 others.^[6]

From all of his successions include in defeated Chŏng Mongju with Yi Pangwŏn, Yi Hwa then became the richest nobleman in the Early Joseon period and often got promoted until passed the 4 positions in military. Although he had title, such like: "Count Ŭian" and "Duke Ŭian", but after Yi Pangwŏn (a.k.a. Taejong) reorganized the royal titles system and abolished the 5 Deungjak (오등작), Yi Hwa then was elevated to Grand Prince Ŭian (의안대군; 義安大君). According to the old tradition that an illegitimate child (especially son) couldn't had the same rank like the legitimate one, Yi Hwa became the one who was actually the illegitimate heir of Hwanjo whom his rank was elevated and same like Hwanjo's legitimate heir for seeing about his contributions in helped Yi Sŏnggye established the new dynasty.^[7]

Family

• Wives and children(s):

1. Grand Lady of Samhan State of the Sunheung An clan (삼한국대부인 순흥 안씨)^[8]
   1. Yi Chisung, Prince Suncheon (이지숭 순천군, d. 1419)^[9] – 1st son.
2. Grand Lady of Samhan State of the Gyoha No clan (삼한국대부인 교하 노씨)
   1. Yi Suk, Prince Wancheon (이숙 완천군, 1373–1406) – 2nd son.
   2. Yi Ching, Prince Hakcheon (이징 학천군, 1375–1435)^[10] – 3rd son.
   3. Yi T'am, Prince Yeongcheon (이담 영천군, b. 1379) – 4th son.
   4. Yi Hyo, Prince Jeoncheon (이효 전천군, d. 1446)^[11] – 5th son.
   5. Yi Hoe, Prince Heungcheon (이회 흥천군, b. 1381) – 6th son.
   6. Yi Chŏm, Prince Ikch'ŏn (이점 익천군, d. 1433) – 7th son.
   7. Lady Yi (부인 이씨)^[12] – 1st daughter.
3. Maehwa (매화)^[13] – No issue.

Others

Ranks and titles

• Ranks:^[14]
  • In 1398, became Jeongsagongsin rank 1 (정사공신 1등).
  • In 1400, became Jwamyeonggongsin rank 3 (좌명공신 3등).
  • In 5 July 1407, became Chief State Councillors (영의정).
• Titles^[14]
  • During his lifetime:
    • Count Ŭian (의안백; 義安伯) in 1392.^[15]
    • Duke Ŭian (의안공; 義安公).^[16]
    • Prince Ŭian (의안군; 義安君).^[17]
  • After his death (along with Posthumous name):
    • Grand Prince Ŭian (의안대군; 義安大君).
    • Grand Prince of the Ŭian Mansion (의안부원대군; 義安府院大君).

Legacy

• Yi Hwa Heritage Museum (이화 개국공신녹권, 李和 開國功臣錄券) – Became the National Treasure No. 232 on 15 October 1986; located in Jeongeup-si, South Korea.^[18][19]
• The Shrine of Grand Prince Ŭian (의안대군 사당) – Became the Namyangju National Treasure No. 4 on 10 April 1986; located in 151–4, Pyeongnae-dong, Namyangju-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea.^[20]

Descendants

Although his descendants had time to suffered a lot from their fate to just became a farmer until King Jeongjo of Joseon and King Sunjo of Joseon's reign, their lives be more better than before. It is said that in nowadays, almost of Yi Hwa's descendants live better now and have the nice home in Seoul City, South Korea.^[7]