Emperor Lizong
| Zhao Yun 趙昀 | |||||||||
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| Emperor of Southern Song Dynasty | |||||||||
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| Reign | 17 September 1224 – 16 November 1264 | ||||||||
| Born | 26 January 1205 | ||||||||
| Died | 16 November 1264 (aged 59) | ||||||||
| Spouse | Empress Xie Daoqing | ||||||||
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| Father | Zhao Qilao 趙希瓐 | ||||||||
Emperor Lizong (Chinese: 理宗; Wade–Giles: Emperor Li-tsung) (1205–1264) was the 14th emperor of the Song Dynasty of China, and the fifth emperor of the Southern Song. His personal name was Zhao Yun (趙昀). He reigned from 1224 to 1264. His temple name means "Reasonable Ancestor". Although a descendant of Song founder Emperor Taizu and henceforth considered a part of the Zhao Song royal family, Lizong was not in line to succeed to the throne as his family held no political status. Shi Miyuan (史彌遠), who was the state chancellor for many years, collaborated with the Dowager Empress Yang and brought Zhao Yun to the throne.
Lizong's long reign of forty years did little to improve the predicament of Song China in his time. Lizong was uninterested in governmental affairs, and for the first decade of his rule he delegated matters into the hands of his ministers, notably Shi Miyuan, who acted as de facto ruler in his absence. After Shi's death in 1233, Lizong assumed full authority briefly but again quickly abandoned the responsibility of ruling and delegated matters to his prime minister Ding Daquan in order to pursue personal enjoyment. It was said that Lizong frequented brothels as well as invited prostitutes into the palace, which was vehemently opposed by his loyal ministers.
Notable events during Lizong's reign included the demise of the Jin dynasty in 1234, which was obliterated by the joint forces of the Mongols and the Southern Song Dynasty. The Jin had fought multiple wars against the Song decades before it was conquered by the Mongols. However, in 1259 the Mongols turned against the Southern Song. The Song were forced to capitulate and ceded all territories north of the Yangtze River to the Mongols. In 1279, the Mongols would eventually conquer all of China.
Lizong died childless and he was succeeded by his nephew, Emperor Duzong.
See also
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| Emperor Lizong Born: 1205 Died: 1264 | ||
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| Preceded by Emperor Ningzong |
Emperor of the Song Dynasty 1224–1264 |
Succeeded by Emperor Duzong |
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