Emperor Guangzong of Song (30 September 1147 – 17 September 1200), personal name Zhao Dun, was the 12th emperor of the Song dynasty of China and the third emperor of the Southern Song dynasty.
He was the third son of his predecessor, Emperor Xiaozong. His mother was Emperor Xiaozong's first wife, Lady Guo (郭氏; 1126–1156), who was posthumously honoured as "Empress Chengmu" (成穆皇后). His reign was relatively peaceful, but his lack of filial piety eventually made officials replace him with his son Emperor Ningzong.
Contents
Early life
During his childhood, Guangzong either suffered from bipolar or severe neurosis. Despite this, Guangzong was reportedly filial to his father even though his father kept on delaying the succession.
In 1184, he was promoted from the ruler of a Zhou to Fu.
Emperor Xiaozong abdicated in favor of his son Emperor Guangzong in 1189, which Emperor Guangzong later described his crowning as king or heir apparent as a "double celebration", which gave the city of Chongqing its present-day name in honour of Guangzong.
Reign
Upon the succession of Emperor Guangzong in 1189, it was actually suggested that Empress Dowager Wu would act as his regent, because of his poor health. However, during his reign, it was the spouse of Guangzong who de facto ruled the Song Empire.