Dying with Dignity: The Chongzhen Emperor

Rather than facing capture and surrendering to the incoming rebels, the Chongzhen Emperor gathered all members of the imperial household except his sons. Using his sword, he killed Consort Yuan and Princess Zhaoren, and severed the arm of Princess Changping. The emperor committed suicide.

"May the rebels dismember my corpse and slaughter my officials, but let them not despoil the imperial tombs nor harm a single one of our people."