Grand Prince Uian

Yi Hwa (1348–1408) or Grand Prince Uian, 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 Cha-ch'un, making him a younger half-brother to Yi Sŏng-gye, its founder.

Biography
He served as an assistant commander to his older half-brother, Yi Sŏng-gye], then after he founded the [[Joseon dynasty in 1392, Yi Hwa was honoured as Count Uian and after helped his half nephew, Yi Pang-wŏn in defeated in the 1st rebellion, Uian become Jeongsagongsin.

Later in 1400, during the 2nd Princes Strife, Yi went out again under the command from Yi Pang-wŏn. Uian, along with Yi Suk-bŏn (이숙번; formally called Prince Anseong, 안성군) and Yi Paek-gang (이백강; formally called Prince Cheongpyeong, 청평군) were got the target and succeeded in defeated Yi Bang-gan (이방간; formally called Grand Prince Hoean, 회안대군) and Yi Maeng-jong (이맹종; formally called Prince Uiryeong, 의령군), then he was promoted to Jwamyeonggongsin along with 47 others.

From all of his successions include in defeated Chŏng Mong-ju with Yi Pang-wŏn, 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 Uian" and "Duke Uian", but after Yi Pang-wŏn (a.k.a. Taejong) reorganized the royal titles system and abolished the 5 Deungjak (오등작), Yi Hwa then was elevated to Grand Prince Uian. 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 Sŏng-gye established the new dynasty.

Family

 * Wives and children(s):
 * 1) Grand Lady of Samhan State of the Sunheung An clan
 * 2) Yi Chi-sung, Prince Suncheon (이지숭 순천군, d. 1419) – 1st son.
 * 3) Grand Lady of Samhan State of the Gyoha No clan
 * 4) Yi Suk, Prince Wancheon (이숙 완천군, 1373–1406) – 2nd son.
 * 5) Yi Ching, Prince Hakcheon (이징 학천군, 1375–1435) – 3rd son.
 * 6) Yi T'am, Prince Yeongcheon (이담 영천군, b. 1379) – 4th son.
 * 7) Yi Hyo, Prince Jeoncheon (이효 전천군, d. 1446) – 5th son.
 * 8) Yi Hoe, Prince Heungcheon (이회 흥천군, b. 1381) – 6th son.
 * 9) Yi Chŏm, Prince Ikcheon (이점 익천군, d. 1433) – 7th son.
 * 10) Lady Yi – 1st daughter.
 * 11) Mae-Hwa – No issue.

Ranks and titles

 * Ranks:
 * In 1398, became Jeongsagongsin rank 1.
 * In 1400, became Jwamyeonggongsin rank 3.
 * In 5 July 1407, became Chief State Councillors.
 * Titles
 * During his lifetime:
 * Count Uian in 1392.
 * Duke Uian.
 * Prince Uian.
 * After his death (along with Posthumous name):
 * Grand Prince Uian.
 * Grand Prince of the Ui'an Mansion.

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.
 * The Shrine of Grand Prince Uian (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.

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.

In popular culture

 * Portrayed by Won Seok-yeon in the 1996–1998 KBS TV series Tears of the Dragon.
 * Portrayed by Lee Won-bal in the 2021–2022 KBS1 TV series The King of Tears, Lee Bang-won.