Branches of Heaven: A History of the Imperial Clan of Sung China (Harvard East Asian Monographs (Hardcover))

By the end of the Sung dynasty (960-1279), known descendants of the three Chao brothers who had founded the dynasty numbered over 20,000. Unlike the rulers of many other Chinese dynasties, however, the Sung emperors were not plagued by challenges to their rule from their relatives. So successful was Sung policy on the imperial clan that it would serve as a model for the subsequent Ming and Ch'ing dynasties. How the Sung created a social and political asset in the imperial clan while neutralizing it as a potential threat is the story of this book. This study of the imperial clan as an institution analyzes the history, its political tile and the lifestyle of its members, focusing on their residence patterns, marriages and occupations. By The End Of The Sung Dynasty (960-1279), Known Descendents Of The Three Chao Brothers Who Had Founded The Sung Numbered Over 20,000 Persons. Unlike The Rulers Of Many Other Chinese Dynasties, However, The Sung Emperors Were Not Plagued By Challenges To Their Rule From Their Relatives. Indeed, So Successful Was Sung Policy On The Imperial Clan That It Would Serve As A Model For The Subsequent Ming And Ch'ing Dynasties. How The Sung Created A Social And Political Asset In The Imperial Clan While Neutralizing It As A Potential Threat Is The Story Of This Book. In This, The First Full-length Study Of The Imperial Clan As An Institution, John W. Chaffee Analyzes Its History, Its Political Role, And The Lifestyle Of Its Members, Focusing On Their Residence Patterns, Marriages, And Occupations.--jacket. A Royal Family -- Culture And Confinement -- The Clan Reoriented -- The Creation Of Secondary Centers -- Captivity, Resistance, And Opportunity -- Settlement And Privilege -- Politics And Limits Of Power -- Maturity And Defeat -- Conclusion: The Sung Clan In Chinese History. John W. Chaffee. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [371]-391) And Index. "By the end of the Sung dynasty (960-1279), known descendents of the three Chao brothers who had founded the Sung numbered over 20,000 persons. Unlike the rulers of many other Chinese dynasties, however, the Sung emperors were not plagued by challenges to their rule from their relatives. Indeed, so successful was Sung policy on the imperial clan that it would serve as a model for the subsequent Ming and Ch'ing dynasties. How the Sung created a social and political asset in the imperial clan while neutralizing it as a potential threat is the story of this book."--BOOK JACKET. "In this, the first full-length study of the imperial clan as an institution, John W. Chaffee analyzes its history, its political role, and the lifestyle of its members, focusing on their residence patterns, marriages, and occupations."--BOOK JACKET. By the end of the Sung dynasty (960-1279), known descendants of the three Chao brothers who had founded the dynasty numbered over 20,000. Unlike the rulers of many other Chinese dynasties, however, the Sung emperors were not plagued by challenges to their rule from their relatives. Indeed, so successful was Sung policy on the imperial clan that it would serve as a model for the subsequent Ming and Ch'ing dynasties. How the Sung created a social and political asset in the imperial clan while neutralizing it as a potential threat is the story of this book. In this, the first full-length study of the imperial clan as an institution, John W. Chaffee analyzes its history, its political role, and the lifestyle of its members, focussing on their residence patterns, marriages, and occupations. By the end of the Sung dynasty (960-1279), known descendants of the three Chao brothers who had founded the dynasty numbered over 20,000. Unlike the rulers of many other Chinese dynasties, however, the Sung emperors were not plagued by challenges to their role from their relatives. Indeed, so successful was Sung policy on the imperial clan that it would serve as a model for he subsequent Ming and Ch'ing dynasties. How the Sung created a social and political asset in the imperial clan while neutralizing it as a potential threat is the story of this book. In this, the first full-length study of the imperial clan as an institution, John W. Chaffee analyzes its history, its political role, and the lifestyle of its members, focussing on their residence patterns, marriages, and occupations. 00a-Front Matter 00b-Table of Contents 00c-Tables, Maps, and Figures 00d-The Sung Emperors and Their Reigns 00e-Abbreviations 00f-Note on the Genealogical Coding of Clansmen 00g-Maps 01-Introduction 02-A Royal Family 03-Culture and Confinement 04-The Clan Reoriented 05-The Creation of Secondary Centers 06-Captivity, Resistance, and Opportunity 07-Settlement and Privilege 08-Politics and the Limits of Power 09-Maturity and Defeat 10-Conclusion The Sung Clan in Chinese History 99a-APPENDIX A List of Clansmen with Biographies-1 99b-APPENDIX B The Imperial Clan Genealogy Offices-1 99c-Notes 99d-Bibliography 99e-Glossary 99f-Index