Grand Prince Neungchang

Prince Neungchang (16 July 1599 – 17 November 1615) or formally called Grand Prince Neungchang personal name Yi Jeon  was a Korean Royal Prince as the third son of Wonjong of Joseon and Queen Inheon of the Neungseong Gu clan. He was the second younger brother of Injo of Joseon. It was said that he was good in horse riding and martial arts (especially archery).

Early life
The future Grand Prince Neungchang was born on 16 July 1599 (32nd year reign of Seonjo of Joseon) in Saemun-ri, Seongseo, Hanseong-bu, Joseon as the youngest son of Prince Jeongwon and Princess Consort Yeonju of the Neungseong Gu clan, the daughter of Gu Sa-Maeng.

Although he was the son of Prince Jeongwon, but later became the adoptive son of his 2nd uncle, Prince Sinseong who died without any issue left and was taken care by his adoptive mother, Princess Consort Sin, the daughter of Sin-Rib. Therefore, Sin-Ib became his maternal grandfather, both of Sin Gyeong-Jin  and Sin Gyeong-Hui  become his maternal uncles.

It was said that from the young age, the Prince was excellent in talent and wisdom, also had a good appearance. He liked to read and because of that, he was nicknamed as Hyeongongja. Later in 1601, when he was still 3 years old, he was given royal title Master Neungchang at first, but then in 1612, at 14 years old, he became Prince Neungchang.

During Gwanghaegun of Joseon's reign
During the Prince's half uncle, Gwanghaegun of Joseon's reign periods, there was a rumor that he wanted to become king because he threatened Gwanghae's throne. Later, in 1608 (Gwanghaegun's ascension to the throne), immediately after Yu Yeong-Gyeong 's death in prison, the Prince become Jeongunwonjonggongsin rank 1. Later, in 1613 (5th year reign of Gwanghaegun), after Prince Imhae was imprisoned, he became Iksawonjonggongsin rank 1.

Then, on 14 August 1615, there was a speculation that Gwanghae wanted to appointed him as Grand Prince Neungchang. However, on 22 August in the same year, Gwanghae then captured Neungchang and after speaking in there Injeongmun, he imprisoned and exiled him to Gyodong-do, Ganghwa.

Later life
Later, on 17 November 1615 (8th year reign of Gwanghaegun of Joseon), the Prince committed suicide after writing a letter to his parents and passed it on to his brother-in-law at the government office. However, those Susaeng couldn't deliver his letter to his parents right away, so he put it in a sash and buried it in the soil. Meanwhile, in March 1623, after his oldest brother, Grand Prince Neungyang rebelled and succeeded Gwanghae's throne, Neungchang's letter was delivered to him.

Meanwhile, on 19 November 1615 (7th year reign of Gwanghaegun of Joseon), Gwanghae exiled him to Gyo-dong on charges of treason and he was immediately killed and died in there. Heard if he was death, their father, Wonjong was so heartbroken over this that makes he suddenly caught an illness, and while drinking the alcohol, he died on 2 February 1619 (11st year reign of Gwanghaegun of Joseon) at 40 years old. Meanwhile, on 13 March 1623, his oldest brother, Prince Neungyang make a rebellion and then ascended the throne. At this time, along with Gim Je-nam, Grand Prince Yeongchang , Yi Tae-Gyeong, Prince Jilleung , and the others were reinstated.

The Prince was firstly honoured as Gadeokdaebu, then on 15 October 1629 (Injo's 7th year reign), he was promoted to Hyeollokdaebu. Later, after his parents became Grand Internal Prince (대원군, 大院君; Daewongun) and Grand Internal Princess Consort (부대부인; 府大夫人; Budaebuin) in 1630, the Princes became a Grand Prince on 4 May 1632 (Injo's 10th year reign). Therefore, his tombstone was named as Grand Prince Neungchang.

Aftermath and tomb
The Prince died on 17 November 1615 not long after his marriage with Lady Gu, the future Princess Consort Gu; 군부인 구씨), in March 1615. Although she didn't gave him any child, with a concubine, he had 1 daughter, Princess Yi Yeong-on whom later married Heo Seo, the third younger brother of Heo Mok.

He was firstly buried in Gunjang-ri, Geumchon-myeon, Yangju-gun, Gyeonggi Province (later became the parts of Geumgok-ri (Geumgok-dong, Namyangju-si), Migeum-myeon). Then, on 29 October 1629 (6th year reign of Injo of Joseon), his tomb was relocated in Nanji-won, Geuncheohyeok-dong, Namhansanseong Fortress, Godae-myeon, Gwangju-gun, Gyeonggi Province. Later, it was moved again to the Mountain behind Gogol Gungan Village, Chungung-ri, Dongbu-myeon, Gwangju-gun, Gyeonggi Province.

Later, on 13 May 1658, his adopted son, Grand Prince Inpyeong died and was then buried on 13 July in the same year which built right next to Neungchang's tomb but, then moved to Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi Province after 35 years. In the left side, Yi Hyeok, Prince Uiwon and his wife's tomb were built and Yi Yeon-Eung  and his wife's tomb were built below from there.

Meanwhile, Neungchang's house was confiscated by Gwanghaegun of Joseon and builted in Gyeongdeok Palace. Later, after his death, in March 1623, his eldest brother, Prince Neungyang had a rebellion and then ascended the throne as King Injo. He was reinstated on 15 March that same year. He was later honoured as Gadeokdaebu firstly and then changed into Hyeollokdaebu. Injo later make his third son, Grand Prince Inpyeong became Neungchang's adoptive son.

Family
Sibling(s)
 * Father
 * Biological -Wonjong of Joseon (2 August 1580 – 29 December 1619)
 * Adoptive (biologically uncle) - Yi Hu, Prince Sinseong (6 January 1579 – 8 December 1592)
 * Grandfather - Seonjo of Joseon (26 November 1552 – 16 March 1608)
 * Grandmother - Royal Noble Consort In of the Suwon Kim clan (1555 – 10 December 1613)
 * Mother
 * Biological - Queen Inheon of the Neungseong Gu clan (17 April 1578 – 14 January 1626)
 * Adoptive - Princess Consort Shin of the Pyeongsan Shin clan (1578–1622)
 * Older brother - Yi Jong, Grand Prince Neungyang (7 December 1595 – 17 June 1649)
 * Older brother - Yi Bo, Grand Prince Neungwon (15 May 1598 – 26 January 1656)
 * Consorts and their Respective Issue(s):
 * Grand Princess Consort Gu of the Neungseong Gu clan — No issue.
 * Adoptive son - Yi Yo, Grand Prince Inpyeong (10 January 1622 – 13 June 1658)
 * Unknown woman; a Palace Maid
 * Daughter - Princess Yi Yeong-On

Others

 * In Prince Namyeon, Prince Imperial Heung , also Prince Yeongseon 's family registers during the Japanese Colonial Periods, both of they were listed as the descendants of Grand Prince Neungchang (7th generation).
 * Although, Heo-Mok built and wrote the tombstones for his wife, in-laws, and daughter-in-law one by one, but only his oldest daughter whom had no full inscriptions about her life, just recorded if she married with Heo-Seo, Heo-Mok's 3rd little brother.
 * He had the same title name like Yi Suk, Prince Neungchang (? – 30 November 1768) who was the son of Yi Yeon, Prince Hwasan and the grandson of Yi Geon, Prince Haewon, also the son of Yi Gong, Prince Inseong , the other illegitimate son of King Seonjo. So, Prince Neungchang (Yi Suk) was Prince Neungchang (Yi Jeon)'s descendant too.

In popular culture

 * Portrayed by Lee Seok-min in the 2003 SBS The King's Woman.