Jingtai Emperor

The Jingtai Emperor, personal name Zhu Qiyu, was the seventh emperor of the Ming dynasty of China and reigned from 1449 to 1457. Born in 1428 as the second son of the Xuande Emperor, he lived as the Prince of Cheng until his elder brother, the Zhengtong Emperor Yingzong, was captured by the Mongols at the Battle of Tumu Fortress. Left in charge of the capital, he was raised to the throne by court officials led by the minister Yu Qian, who organised the successful defence of Beijing. His reign is often praised for stable ministers, repair of the Grand Canal and the Yellow River dykes, and military reform. He kept the released Yingzong confined in the Southern Palace, and in early 1457, while he was gravely ill and without an heir, officials overthrew him in a palace coup that restored his brother. He died a month later.