Death of the Xuande Emperor

Timeline

1. 1434Beijing · BeijingIn autumn and winter 1434 the Xuande Emperor personally led the capital garrison on a tour of the frontier around Xuanfu and Datong; after returning to Beijing he fell ill and could not hold court for months, with state affairs gradually shared between the crown prince and Grand Secretaries.
2. 1435Palace of Heavenly Purity, Forbidden City · BeijingOn the third day of the first month of Xuande 10, the Xuanzong died in the Palace of Heavenly Purity. His edict ordered Crown Prince Zhu Qizhen to succeed, Empress Dowager Zhang to decide major military and state affairs, and Grand Secretaries including Yang Shiqi to assist in government.
3. 1435Jingling, Tianshou Mountain · ChangpingThe court began building Jingling at Tianshou Mountain, bestowed the posthumous name Zhang (Zhanghuangdi) and the temple name Xuanzong. Some consorts were buried alive with the emperor, marking the formal end of the Xuande reign.