Emperor Yingzong of Song

Who was Emperor Yingzong of Song?

Emperor Yingzong was the fifth emperor of the Song Dynasty of China. His personal name was originally Zhao Zongshi but he later changed it to Zhao Shu. He reigned from 1063 to 1067. His temple name means "Outstandingly Talented Ancestor".

In 1055 the Emperor Renzong fell ill and as he had no surviving sons there was a threat to the succession. Under prompting from his Court officials Renzong agreed to bring two boys, sons of Imperial clansmen, into the palace. Yingzong was the thirteenth son of Zhao Yunrang, known posthumously as Prince Pu Anyi. Zhao Yunrang was the first director of the Great Office of [Imperial] Clan Affairs and so the most important clan official at the time. Moreover Yunrang had been raised in the Palace as a potential heir to Zhenzong before Renzong was born in 1010. He was a first cousin of Emperor Renzong. Yingzong's grandfather was Zhao Yuanfen, known posthumously as Prince Shang Gongjing, and younger brother of Emperor Zhenzong. Yingzong's mother, from the Ren family, was the third wife of Prince Pu Anyi, and was titled xianjun¹ of Xianyou.

Yingzong's reign is known for controversy over the correct rituals to be performed by the Emperor for his father. Yingzong had been adopted by Renzong and so the ritual sense Renzong was Yingzong's father. In a more strictly biological sense, Zhao Yunrang was Yingzong's father. Some officials wished Zhao Yunrang to be given the title of "Imperial Uncle", however Yingzong sided with Ouyang Xiu and others and granted him the title "Parent". This was not only an early sign of more conflict during Xiaozong's reign but also the Great rites controversy of the Ming Dynasty.