Empress Li (960–1004) was an empress consort of

ancient China The earliest known written records of the history of China date from as early as 1250 BC, from the Shang dynasty (c. 1600–1046 BC), during the reign of king Wu Ding. Ancient historical texts such as the '' Book of Documents'' (early chapte ...

's Northern

Song dynasty The Song dynasty (; ; 960–1279) was an imperial dynasty of China that began in 960 and lasted until 1279. The dynasty was founded by Emperor Taizu of Song following his usurpation of the throne of the Later Zhou. The Song conquered the rest ...

, married to Emperor Taizong. After his death, she was the

empress dowager Empress dowager (also dowager empress or empress mother) () is the English language translation of the title given to the mother or widow of a Chinese, Japanese, Korean, or Vietnamese emperor in the Chinese cultural sphere. The title was also g ...

for her stepson

Emperor Zhenzong Emperor Zhenzong of Song (23 December 968 – 23 March 1022), personal name Zhao Heng, was the third emperor of the Song dynasty of China. He reigned from 997 to his death in 1022. His personal name was originally Zhao Dechang, but was changed ...

Biography

The second daughter of Song general Li Chuyun, it was arranged that she marry

Zhao Guangyi Zhao Jiong (20 November 939 – 8 May 997), known as Zhao Guangyi from 960 to 977 and Zhao Kuangyi before 960, also known by his temple name Taizong after his death, was the second emperor of the Song dynasty of China. He reigned from 976 to h ...

by Zhao Guangyi's elder brother

Emperor Taizu of Song Emperor Taizu of Song (21 March 927 – 14 November 976), personal name Zhao Kuangyin, courtesy name Yuanlang, was the founder and first emperor of the Song dynasty of China. He reigned from 960 until his death in 976. Formerly a distinguish ...

. 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 the empress in 984.

Titles

* During the reign of

(4 February 960– 14 November 976): ** Lady Li (李氏; from 960 ** Princess Consort (王妃; fron 976) * During the reign of

Emperor Taizong of Song Zhao Jiong (20 November 939 – 8 May 997), known as Zhao Guangyi from 960 to 977 and Zhao Kuangyi before 960, also known by his temple name Taizong after his death, was the second emperor of the Song dynasty of China. He reigned from 976 to h ...

(15 November 976 – 8 May 997) ** Empress (賀氏; from 984) *During the reign of

Emperor Zhenzong of Song Emperor Zhenzong of Song (23 December 968 – 23 March 1022), personal name Zhao Heng, was the third emperor of the Song dynasty of China. He reigned from 997 to his death in 1022. His personal name was originally Zhao Dechang, but was changed ...

(8 May 997 – 23 March 1022 ) ** Empress Dowager (皇太后: from 997) **Empress Mingde (孝德皇后; from 1004)

Issue

As empress: *unnamed son (died soon after birth)

Notes and references

Sources

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Li, Empress 1004 deaths Song dynasty empresses 960 births Song dynasty empresses dowager 10th-century Chinese women 10th-century Chinese people 11th-century Chinese women 11th-century Chinese people People from Changzhi