Emperor Lizong of Song

Timeline

1. 1205–1224Shaoxing · Southern SongZhao Yun was a fourth-generation descendant of Song founder Taizu, raised in his fief at Shaoxing; in 1224 Ningzong died without an heir, and he was made crown prince and acceded the same year, changing the era name to Baoqing.
2. 1251–1260Lin'an · Southern SongLizong took personal rule in the 1250s, changing the era name to Chunyou. In 1251 Möngke became Great Khan of the Mongols; in 1253 he sent Kublai south to conquer Yunnan; in 1258 Möngke personally campaigned in Sichuan, and the Southern Song faced unprecedented military pressure. Lizong directed defenses at Lin'an, relying on ministers such as Song Xiangzhi and Jia Sidao.
3. 1261–1264Lin'an · Southern SongIn 1260 the era name was changed to Jingding; in his later years Lizong favored Jia Sidao exclusively and court governance gradually lost its clarity. Lizong died at Lin'an in 1264, leaving an edict naming Duzong Zhao Qi as successor, and the Southern Song entered its final twenty years.