MLSHR: Goryeo Dynasty Timeline

First Posted on 06.01.18

TIMELINE

GORYEO DYNASTY
(From Taejo To Gwangjong)

YEAR	EVENT
TAEJO WANG GEON (877-943) Reign: 26 years (918-943)
921	Wang Mu was proclaimed the Heir Apparent of Taejo, before the birth of Wang So.
925	Birth of Wang So, the Fourth Prince Wang Mu was thirteen years older than Wang So.
936	Wang Geon, with the occupation of Hubaekje, unified the later Three Kingdoms – Later Baekje, Silla and Balhae.  He was the first ruler to unite the people of the Korean Peninsula. Korea is derived from ‘Goryeo’.
942	25th year of Taejo’s reign. Wang So was 17 years old. The Khitans sent 50 camels to Goryeo but Taejo refused to accept the peace overture from the Khitans To Taejo, the Khitans were savage beasts - treacherous and uncivilized. The Khitans, an offshoot of the Mongols, established the Liao Dynasty.
	SNIPPETS ON THE REIGN OF TAEJO Byeongnando, which was situated on the Yesong River Estuary ( 30 li  from the capital, Songak - Kaesong / Gaegyeong), was the centre of global commerce, from which countless ships from Song, Liao, Japan and far-off Arabia arrived and departed.  (The Arabians  brought mercury to Goryeo.) All in all, king Taejo established 10 large scale Buddhist  temples. The Palgwannhoe or Sacrificial Rites To Heaven, which was held on the 15th day of the 11th month, was one of the two festivals which were the most important state celebrations of Goryeo. Ancient and indigenous rituals involved worshipping the heavens with Buddhist rites. The Ten Injunctions (Hunjo Sipjo) was composed by Taejo as a guidebook for the future rulers of Goryeo on how to rule in an enlightened manner. One of his recommendations was the continued importance of the Western capital of Seogyeong (modern-day Pyeongyang). Another related to the warning against employing men in what is now the Jeolla provinces. It was probably related to the conquest of Hubaekje or Later Baekje whose centre of power was in that region. Buddhism was the preeminent political ideology during the early Goryeo period despite the increasing acceptance of Confucianism. Taejo had emphasized the importance of the protection of Buddhism in his Ten Injunctions.
943	Death of Taejo. Wang Mu succeeded to the throne.
REIGN OF HYEJONG WANG MU (912-945) REIGN: 3 YEARS (943-945 )
943	Wang Mu ascended the throne as the second king of Goryeo and took the name Hyejong. Wang So was 18 years old.
	SNIPPETS ON THE REIGN OF HYEJONG His reign was marked with conspiracy and power struggles among his half-brothers. When Wang Gyu warned Hyejong about the conspiracies, the king did nothing about it. The ambitious and powerful Wang Gyu then plotted to put his *grandson (*Wang Eun in MLSHR) on the throne.
945	Hyejong died at the age of 33 and was succeeded by Wang Yo.
JEONGJONG WANG YO (923-949) REIGN: 5 YEARS (945-949)
945	Wang Yo ascended the throne at the age of 22 and took the name Jeongjong. Wang So was 20 years old when Wang Yo ascended the throne. Jeongjong purged Wang Gyu and his family.
947	Jeongjong constructed the fortress of Pyongyang as the kingdom’s Western Capital.  He sought to move the capital from Songak (Kaesong) to Seogyeong (Pyongyang)   but failed. Wang So was 22 years old.
949	Jeongjong died at the age of 26.
GWANGJONG WANG SO (925-975) REIGN: 26 YEARS (949-975)
949	Wang So ascended the Goryeo throne at age 24.
949-951	Wang So proclaimed himself as ‘Emperor’ and adopted the reign or era name of Gwangdeok which meant ‘Brilliant Power’ / ‘Shining Virtue’. Songak (Kaesong) was designated the Imperial capital (hwangdo) and Seogyeong (modern-day Pyeongyang) as the Western capital (seondo).
951	The death of his mother, Queen Yoo. Wang So was 26 years old.
956	7th year of Gwangjong's reign Emancipation of the nobi (bond servants or slaves)
960-963	Gwangjong took the era name Junpung meaning ‘Towering Plenty’.
	SNIPPETS ON THE REIGN OF GWANGJONG Gwangjong started a series of purges after a rebellion was staged against him by the nobles. His half-brother, Wang Won, was suspected of treason and was poisoned. He also killed King Hyejong’s son, Heunghwa, and King Jeongjong’s son, Gyeongchunwon. Gwangjong was a powerful ruler who had no qualms about ruthlessly suppressing anyone who opposed his reforms, even if that meant taking on those who had contributed to the founding of the dynasty. He relied heavily on a book which chronicled the reign of Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty entitled ‘Essentials of the Government of Tang Emperor Taizong’ / The Essence of Policy During The Chen-Kuan Period (Zhenguan Zhengyao).
975	Gwangjong died in 975 at the age of 50.  He had reigned for 26 years. He was succeeded by his son, Wang Ju, who became Gyeonjong, the fifth king of Goryeo.

SOURCE
 1. Wikipedia

  2. A Review of Korean History - Vol 1 Ancient Goryeo Era                                      (Han Young Woo and Hahm Chaibong)