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Emperor Zhenzong of Song

Portrait of Emperor Zhenzong of Song

Northern Song · Song · 3rd ruler

宋真宗 Sòng Zhēnzōng趙恆 Zhào Héng

Wade–Giles: Sung Chen-tsung · Chao Heng

Reigned 997–1022 (24 years)

Reigned 24 years (997–1022). Died at 55 (East Asian reckoning) of natural causes. 3rd ruler of Northern Song.

Facts

Reign
8 May 997 – 23 March 1022 (3rd ruler of Northern Song)
Length of reign
24 years
Born
23 December 968
Died
23 March 1022
Age at accession
30
Age at death
55
Cause of death
Natural causesNatural death or illness (including old age)
Path to the throne
Designated heirSucceeded the previous ruler of the same regime, who had chosen the heir (by testament, naming a crown prince, etc.)
Era names
  • 咸平 Xiánpíng (proclaimed 998)
  • 景德 Jǐngdé (proclaimed 1004)
  • 大中祥符 Dàzhōngxiángfú (proclaimed 1008)
  • 天禧 Tiānxǐ (proclaimed 1017)
  • 乾興 Qiánxīng (proclaimed 1022)

Ages are given in East Asian reckoning (sui): a person is one year old at birth and gains a year at each New Year, so the figure is one or two years higher than the Western age.

During the reign

Number of times each event is recorded in the official histories. How each item is counted

Era name changes
5
General amnesties
15
Empresses installed
2
Crown princes deposed
0
Personal campaigns
2
Rebellions suppressed
4
Rebellions faced
4
Capital relocations
0