China

Empress Xiaoyichun – The third Empress of the Qianlong Emperor and mother of the Jiaqing Emperor

Empress Xiaoyichun was the third Empress of Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty. She was sixteen years younger than Emperor Qianlong.[1] While she was not appointed Empress during her lifetime, she was posthumously made an Empress because her son was Emperor Jiaqing of the Qing Dynasty.[2] Empress Xiaoyichun was originally a palace maid and became [read more]

queen emma's diamond tiara
Beatrix of the Netherlands

Queen Emma’s Diamond Tiara

Queen Emma’s Diamond Tiara was made for Emma of Waldeck and Pyrmont and gifted by her husband, King William III of the Netherlands to her in 1890. However, it arrived shortly after his death. It was made by Royal Begeer and features a trio of harp designs with diamond rosette-style clusters made from silver and [read more]

Empress Xu
China

Empress Xu – The deposed Empress who was blamed for causing a total solar eclipse because of her childlessness

Empress Xu was the first Empress of Emperor Cheng of the Western Han Dynasty. She initially had Emperor Cheng’s love.[1] However, she did not produce a son and was blamed for natural disasters that occurred frequently throughout the empire.[2] Her husband eventually saw her as a great calamity because of her barrenness and no longer loved [read more]

Empress Wang of the Xin Dynasty
China

Empress Wang of the Xin Dynasty- The first Empress of Emperor Wang Mang the Usurper who killed three of their own children for power

Empress Wang of the Xin Dynasty was one of China’s most miserable Empresses. She was the first Empress of Emperor Wang Mang of the Xin Dynasty. She bore Emperor Wang Mang four sons. Yet, Emperor Wang Mang killed three of them for the sake of power.[1] Emperor Wang Mang destroyed his own family to gain [read more]

Book News

Book News Week 35

*contains affiliate links* Book News Week 35 – 26 August – 1 September 2024 The Two Eleanors of Henry III: The Lives of Eleanor of Provence and Eleanor de Montfort  Paperback –30 August 2024 (US & UK) Stephen and Matilda’s Civil War: Cousins of Anarchy  Paperback – 30 August 2024 (US) A Voyage Around the Queen  [read more]

Grand Empress Dowager Qiongcheng
China

Grand Empress Dowager Qiongcheng – The unfavoured Empress who became a respected Empress Dowager

Grand Empress Dowager Qiongcheng was the third Empress of Emperor Xuan of the Western Han Dynasty. She was never favoured by Emperor Xuan. However, Grand Empress Dowager Qiongcheng established a close bond with Emperor Yuan. She would be highly regarded by two Emperors who would reward her for her virtue. The birthdate of Grand Empress [read more]