Xiao Yanyan (; 953–1009), also known as Empress Dowager Chengtian (承天皇太后) was a Khitan

empress An emperor (from la, imperator, via fro, empereor) is a monarch, and usually the sovereignty, sovereign ruler of an empire or another type of imperial realm. Empress, the female equivalent, may indicate an emperor's wife (empress consort), ...

and military leader of

imperial 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 ...

Liao dynasty The Liao dynasty (; Khitan: ''Mos Jælud''; ), also known as the Khitan Empire (Khitan: ''Mos diau-d kitai huldʒi gur''), officially the Great Liao (), was an imperial dynasty of China that existed between 916 and 1125, ruled by the Yelü ...

. She was regent on behalf of her son from 982.

History

Xiao Yanyan was the 3rd child of Xiao Siwen (蕭思溫), Liao's

chancellor Chancellor ( la, cancellarius) is a title of various official positions in the governments of many nations. The original chancellors were the of Roman courts of justice—ushers, who sat at the or lattice work screens of a basilica or law cou ...

. Also referred to by the name Xiao Chuo, Xiao's original Khitan family name was Bali (拔裏氏). She was the youngest of the Xiao sisters, along with

Xiao Hunian Xiao Hunian (萧胡辇; 953–1009), also known as Hehan (和罕) was a Khitan noble lady of imperial China's Liao dynasty. She was one of the Xiao sisters and the oldest sister of Lady Xiao and Xiao Yanyan. History Xiao Hunian was the eldest da ...

and

Lady Xiao Lady Xiao (personal name unknown), also known as Yileilan (伊勒兰) was a Khitan noble lady of imperial China's Liao dynasty. She was one of the Xiao sisters along with Xiao Hunian and Xiao Yanyan. 齐伟. 《路振〈乘轺录〉中“韩� ...

. Xiao later married

Emperor Jingzong of Liao Emperor Jingzong of Liao (1 September 948 – 13 October 982), personal name Yelü Xian, courtesy name Xianning, was the fifth emperor of the Khitan-led Liao dynasty of China. He improved government efficiency and reduced corruption. He was know ...

and would go on to bear the crown Prince Yelü Longxu. Being granted the title of Empress, Xiao was influential during her husband's reign. She would go on to become regent for her son in 982 when he ascended the Liao throne as

Emperor Shengzong Emperor Shengzong of Liao (16 January 972 – 25 June 1031), personal name Wenshunu, sinicised name Yelü Longxu, was the sixth emperor of the Khitan-led Chinese Liao dynasty and its longest reigning monarch. Conflict with the Northern Song dyn ...

at 12 years old after the untimely death of

who died while returning from a hunting trip. In 986, the Liao Empire was invaded by the

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 ...

to the south under the leadership of Emperor Taizong of Song, but was defeated by Liao forces under Xiao's command which had retreating Song troops thrown into the Xia river. A further invasion by the Song would ensue in 989 only to be defeated once again by Liao forces resulting in the death of

Yang Ye Yang Ye (楊業) or Yang Jiye (楊繼業)According to he changed his name directly from Liu Jiye to Yang Ye in 979, changing both the surname and the given name. If this is to be believed, the name Yang Jiye is technically incorrect, but shows ...

. As Empress Dowager Chengtian, Xiao commanded her own army of 10,000 cavalry and would personally lead the Liao army in battle against the Song in 1005, despite being well over 50 by that point. Known for her great skills in civil administration, Empress Dowager Chengtian would retained great influence until her death. She was also instrumental in arranging a marriage between her son and her court lady,

Xiao Noujin Xiao Noujin (蕭耨斤; 980-1057) was a Khitan Empress Dowager of China's Liao dynasty. She was a concubine of Emperor Shengzong, the mother of Emperor Xingzong, and one of the three Liao Grand Empress Dowagers. She had great influence after t ...

. However, she had a poor relationship with her two older sisters, and she eventually poisoned or murdered both of them.

Modern references

Film and television

* Portrayed by Mu Qing in the 1995 Chinese movie ''Great Liao's Empress Dowager''. * Portrayed by Shim Hye-jin in the 2009 Korean TV series ''

Empress Cheonchu ''Empress Cheonchu'' (; also known as ''The Iron Empress'') is a 2009 South Korean period television series based on the title character, an actual historical figure and her lifelong struggle to protect the country her ancestors built. The grand ...

''. * Portrayed by Mei Lier in the 2019 Chinese movie ''Battle Between Song and Liao Dynasties'' (大破天门阵). * Portrayed by Tiffany Tang in the 2020 Chinese TV series '' The Legend of Xiao Chuo''.

Literature

* She is also portrayed as an

antagonist An antagonist is a character in a story who is presented as the chief foe of the protagonist. Etymology The English word antagonist comes from the Greek ἀνταγωνιστής – ''antagonistēs'', "opponent, competitor, villain, enemy, riv ...

in many ''

Generals of the Yang Family ''The Generals of the Yang Family'' is a collection of Chinese folklore, plays and novels on a military family from the earlier years of imperial China's Song Dynasty (960–1279). The stories recount the unflinching loyalty and the remarkable b ...

'' adaptations.

Notes

References

Citations

Sources

* *
Women in power 750-1000" from Guide2womenleaders.com, last accessed January 13, 2007
{{DEFAULTSORT:Xiao, Yanyan 953 births 1009 deaths Women in medieval warfare Women in war in China Women leaders of China 10th-century women rulers Liao dynasty empresses Xiao clan 10th-century Khitan women 11th-century Khitan women