[1]Identity and datesEmpress Gao is identified as a Song-dynasty empress and grand empress dowager, the wife of Zhao Shu, Emperor Yingzong, born in 1032 and deceased in 1093.
CBDBGao Shi (Wife of Zhao Shu) (11688)The person is named Gao Shi, associated with Zhao Shu as wife, dated to 1032–1093, placed in the Song dynasty, and assigned the offices of empress and grand empress dowager.
WikidataEmpress Gao (Q5219495)The English label is Empress Gao; the Chinese description identifies her as the empress of Song Yingzong, and the listed years are 1032 and 1093.
[2]Posthumous title and residencesHer posthumous title was Xuanren Shenglie; Bozhou is given as her native place and Kaifeng as a later residence.
CBDBGao Shi (Wife of Zhao Shu) (11688)The alternative-name entry gives Xuanren Shenglie as a posthumous title, while the address entries give Bozhou as the native place and Kaifeng as the later residence.
WikidataEmpress Gao (Q5219495)A separate title claim gives the posthumous designation in traditional characters as 宣仁聖烈.
[3]Names and aliasesShe is also known as Empress Xuanren, Gao Taotao, Empress Dowager Xuanren, Empress Dowager Gao, and Empress Xuanren Shenglie.
WikidataEmpress Gao (Q5219495)The naming entries provide the Chinese form 宣仁皇后, the Chinese aliases 高滔滔、宣仁太后、高太后, and the English alias Empress Xuanren Shenglie.
[4]Family lineHer great-grandfather was Gao Qiong, her grandfather Gao Jixun, her father Gao Zunfu, and her mother Cao Shi; Gao Shili was a collateral grandfather, and Gao Zunhui and Gao Zunyu were paternal uncles.
CBDBGao Shi (Wife of Zhao Shu) (11688)The kinship entries identify Gao Qiong, Gao Jixun, Gao Zunfu, Cao Shi, Gao Shili, Gao Zunhui, and Gao Zunyu with the stated family relationships; two mother entries both identify Cao Shi.
[5]Collateral relativesHer relatives included the sibling Gao Shiquan, younger brothers Gao Shilin and Gao Shixun, collateral younger cousins Gao Shiju and Gao Shizuan, and nephews Gao Gongji and Gao Gongying.
CBDBGao Shi (Wife of Zhao Shu) (11688)The kinship entries classify Gao Shiquan as a sibling, Gao Shilin and Gao Shixun as younger brothers, Gao Shiju and Gao Shizuan as collateral younger cousins, and Gao Gongji and Gao Gongying as nephews.
[6]Marriage and childrenShe married Zhao Shu, and their listed children were Zhao Xu, Zhao Hao, Zhao Yun, and a daughter named Zhao Shi, with the stated dates and birth order.
CBDBGao Shi (Wife of Zhao Shu) (11688)The family entries name Zhao Shu as husband and list Zhao Xu, Zhao Hao, Zhao Yun, and Zhao Shi as children, with their birth and death years and the recorded second- and third-son order.
[7]Titles and investitureShe was invested as empress, later held the title of empress dowager, and became grand empress dowager in the first year of Yuanyou, 1085.
CBDBGao Shi (Wife of Zhao Shu) (11688)The investiture entry and office sequence identify her as empress, empress dowager, and grand empress dowager, with the latter beginning in Yuanyou year one, 1085.
[8]Regency and political changesWhile the emperor was young, she acted as regent, removed Wang Anshi’s partisans, appointed Sima Guang and others, abolished the New Policies, and brought about the Yuanyou governance; another relationship entry marks Sima Guang as a supporter.
CBDBGao Shi (Wife of Zhao Shu) (11688)The political relationship notes describe a regency while the emperor was young, the removal of Wang Anshi’s partisans, the use of Sima Guang and others, the abolition of the New Policies, and the achievement of the Yuanyou governance; a further entry marks Sima Guang as supported.
[9]Eunuch serviceIn 1091, Liang Weijian, Chen Yan, and Zhang Shiliang are associated with service by eunuchs to her.
CBDBGao Shi (Wife of Zhao Shu) (11688)Three relationship entries begin in 1091 and identify Liang Weijian, Chen Yan, and Zhang Shiliang in the eunuch-service relationship.
[10]Su Zhe and the posthumous discussionSu Zhe wrote the posthumous-title discussion for her.
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