House of Hwangje

Hwangje Imperial Seal
Information
Founding	740 CE (As House of Hwang) 4187 CE (As House of Hwangje)
Founder	Gim Nam Tzun (House of Hwang) Hwangje Ye-Seo (House of Hwangje)
Head of House	Extinct (Present) Taeyang Hak-Sook (Final known)
Primary Titles	Emperor/Empress of the Great Kyo Empire Grand Empress of the Kyo Taeyang of Sindo Compassionate Protector of the Constitution and the Nationalities Monarch of Pyeonghae
Family Palaces	Shining Sun Palace
Cadet Branches	Taeyang Clan
Ethnicity	Kyo
Religion	Sindo

The House of Hwangje (Kyomal: 晃制王室, lit. 'Bright Rule') was a major Kyo noble family that played a significant role in the politics of Dankuk during the 42nd and 43rd centuries. Prior to the 43rd Century, the Hwangje clan acted in a largely local capacity as caretakers of a Kutkil Shrine.

The House of Hwangje was founded by Prince Kim Nam Tzun of the House of Kim, which ruled the classical state of Pyeonghae. Following his capture by the forces of the Gongmangdo kingdom and the death of his family in the Burning of Kukhol, Prince Kim surrendered and founded the house of Hwang. Later, when the House of Hwang came back to rule the Dankukian Imperial Union, the name was changed to the House of Hwangje. Thus, the House of Hwangje claimed indirect descent from the ancient Pyeonghae Kingdom through Kim Nam Tzun.

Today, the House of Hwangje is considered to be de facto extinct. Having laid dormant for nearly a millennium, it has not had a known central organizational body for centuries and no claimants have stepped forward in ages. Whilst some still hope and believe that a new heir could emerge, as the years pass this chance is looking increasingly slim.

History

Origins

For the pre-Baeguk history of the House of Hwangje, see Gim Nam Tzun and House of Kim

In 4187, after some turmoil in the Westernist state between Kyo and Whites, Hwangje Ye-Seo was proclaimed Empress as the matrilineal descendant of the Sindo Sun Spirit by the National Conservative Party(Dranland). Under an outspoken Kyo Nationalist named Sung Joo-wong, The party organized a Kyo nationalist paramilitary and threatened to secede from Free Dranland, however a deal was struck between Hwangje Ye-seo and The Government jn which the Empress would be recognized as the Cultural Monarch of the Kyo and the nation avoided civil war.

Rise of Taeyang Dynasty

The Dranish government would greatly destabilize in the 4270s leading to the formation of a brief Juche dictatorship before Alfredo de la Cruz would lead large-scale democratic reforms and found the Dranian Federation. As President de la Cruz moved to empower regional politics, the Ryeo came back into focus as the government sought to elevate cultural symbols for all of the Federation's ethnic groups. Currently led by the aging Prince Seojun, the Ryeo moved back into Beonyeongsalm Palace, which again became a rallying point for pro-monarchy citizens. Seojun quietly lobbied for restoration of the monarchy but it wasn't until the reformation of the National Conservative Party, the political party affiliated with the Hwangje, that the Ryeo loyalists overtook the Federalists.

As the Hwangje asserted their legal claims to the throne, the Federalist Party dominated Parliament swifly ran through legislation that coronated the Ryeo claimant, Emperor Choesun V in 4289.

The "Emperor" however wasn't viewed as entirely legitimate by the Kyo and Hwangje loyalists elected Hong Seon Ki as president in 4290 who quickly mobilized the army to depose the Ryeo Pretender. Aware of the impending attack, most of the Ryeo Family had already fled to the mountains of inner Dankuk and only a small garrison of Imperial Guard remained alongside Prince Seojun, father of Choesun. The Imperial Guard and Army engaged in a forefight and Prince Seojun was shot while sitting upon the throne in the chaos.

After the Coup, President Hong continued to consolidate power, soon abandoning the Hwangje and declared himself the God-Emperor of Dankuk and attempted to exterminate the rival clans. However, Hwangje liyalists mobilized around a charismatic and intelligent leader, Taeyang Sang-ah a member of the matrilineal lineage within the Hwangje Clan as the new Empress of Dankuk who successfully lead a rebellion in 4297 deposing President Hong. However, political fighting would continue as the pro-Ryeo Federalist Party clashed with the pro-Hwagnje National Conservatives. Major disputes over the throne would end in 4309 as the National Conservative coalition gained a constitutional majority that was capable of invalidating recognition for the Ryeo Imperial Household on chagre of collaboration with a foreign power Yingdala. As the new Taeyang Dynasty was formed, the Ryeo fled and went into exile in Yingdala.

Imperial Family as Head of State

The beginning of the Taeyang Dynasty was with much fanfare as nationalists throughout Dankuk celebrated the return of Dankukin Sovereignty. However, lingering opposition continued and The Empress tightened control over the nation while simultaneously reforming the Empire into an Indigenous Kyo state and helping establish one of the most competent and feared Intelligence agencies in the world-Nine Tail Agency. The Empress' reign would be briefly interrupted by the Conservative Party in 4316, who disagreed with the Hwangje Loyalists on the reforms and a near civil war broke out, with attempted assassinations on Conservative leaders in the 4320s. Eventually, a compromise was reached between he two factions and the Empress was restored. During the restoration period, Taeyang Sang-ah proceeded to furher enable Nine Tail Agency and foreign ministry to expand Dankuk's diplomatic prestige. This would backfire though with Dankuk's acquiring of Weaponry from Kingdom of Klavia Okeanu and Taeyang abdicated for her Daughter Taeyang Yoon-Jin. Durung Taeyang Yoon-jin's reign, the Empire proceeded to develop its civil Law structure and transirioned into a fully constitutional Monarchy with Prince Tae Kyo, brother of Yoon-Jin leading as its Prime Minister(Yeonguijeong)for over 2 decades. During this time the Empire renamed many locations to suit the new era, though this was briefly interrupted by a failed attempt by Kazulia to conquer Dankuk. Jn the aftermath relations with Kazulia cooled and he Empire developed an isolationisf stance for decades. In the 4390's with foreign instigation from a Kazulian ally-Lourenne, a Republican party attempted to overthrow the Taeyang but failed and the party leaders sent into exile. Taeyang Yoon-jin would eventually abdicate in favor of her daughter in 4416 and Taeyang Hak-sook took over leadership of the Clan.

Downfall and End

Eventually, the turning tides of politics would lead the House of Hwangje to be overthrown. Presently, the house is largely believed to be inactive, and despite an official government search conducted by the once-rival House of Baek, no claimants have emerged. Without a current known central clan body, most consider the House of Hwangje as a political/social unit to be dead.

Cadet Branches

The Hwangje clan had several other branches that have become prominent on occasion, one in particular rising to prominence as Defense Minister during Taeyang the Great's reign.

List of Monarchs

The House of Hwangje was officially formed in 4183, and in 4187 Hwangje Ye-Seo was proclaimed the first Empress of Daekyojeguk. Below is a list of the Hwangje monarchs from the formation of the royal house to desposition.

#	Picture	Name	Monarch From	Monarch Until
1		Hwangje Ye-Seo	1 June 4187	1 January 4256
2		Ho-Jun	1 January 4256	13 December 4287
3		Wa-Dae	13 December 4287	3 August 4297
-		Ryeo Emperor Choesun V	1 Aug 4289	30 July 4309
-		God-Emperor Hong Seon-Ki	31 October 4297 "1 October 4291"	4 November 4297
4		Taeyang Sang-ah	4 November 4297	2 December 4350
5		Taeyang Yoon-Jin	2 December 4350	1 July 4416
6		Taeyang Hae-sook	1 July 4416	Unknown