Song Dynasty

:Alternative meaning: Song Dynasty (420-479)

Fall of the Southern Song

In 1276 the Southern Song court fled to Guangdong by boat, fleeing Mongol invaders, leaving Emperor Gong of Song China behind. Any hope of resistance was centred on two young princes, Emperor Gong's brothers. The older boy, Zhao Shi, who was nine years old, was declared emperor; and in 1277, the imperial court sought refuge in Silvermine Bay (Mui Wo) on Lantau Island and later in what is today Kowloon City, Hong Kong (see also Sung Wong Toi). The older brother became ill and died, and was succeeded by the younger, Zhao Bing, aged seven. On March 19, 1279 the Song army was defeated in its last battle, the Battle of Yamen, fought against the Mongols in the Pearl River Delta; subsequently a high official is said to have taken the boy emperor in his arms and jumped from a clifftop into the sea, drowning both of them. (See: Sung Wong Toi.) These emperors are also believed to have held court in the Tung Chung valley, which takes its name from a local hero who gave up his life for the emperor. Hau Wong, an official from this court, is still revered as a god in Hong Kong.

Related Topics:
1276 - Guangdong - Mongol - Emperor Gong of Song China - Zhao Shi - 1277 - Silvermine Bay - Mui Wo - Lantau Island - Kowloon City - Hong Kong - Sung Wong Toi - Zhao Bing - March 19 - 1279 - Battle of Yamen - Pearl River Delta - Tung Chung - Hau Wong

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