Zhengde Emperor of China (d. 1521)
The Zhengde Emperor (Chinese: 正德帝; pinyin: Zhèngdé Dì; 27 October 1491 – 20 April 1521), who was the 11th Emperor of the Ming dynasty, reigned from 1505 to 1521.
Born Zhu Houzhao, he was the Hongzhi Emperor's eldest son. Zhu Houzhao took the throne at only 14 with the era name Zhengde meaning "right virtue" or "rectification of virtue". He was known for favoring eunuchs such as Liu Jin and became infamous for his childlike behavior. He eventually died at age 29 from an illness he contracted after drunkenly falling off a boat into the Yellow River. He left behind no sons and was succeeded by his first cousin Zhu Houcong.
1491Oct, 26
Zhengde Emperor
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Events on 1491
- 3May
Nkuwu Nzinga
Kongo monarch Nkuwu Nzinga is baptised by Portuguese missionaries, adopting the baptismal name of João I. - 16Nov
Holy Child of La Guardia
An auto-da-fé, held in the Brasero de la Dehesa outside of Ávila, concludes the case of the Holy Child of La Guardia with the public execution of several Jewish and converso suspects. - 25Nov
Treaty of Granada
The siege of Granada, the last Moorish stronghold in Spain, ends with the Treaty of Granada.