Changes

The Northern Song Dynasty, with its capital at [[Kaifeng]] (then called Baijing), united China around [[960]] following the fractured period known as the [[Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms]]. It was a period of particular cultural, economic, and technological flourishing for China, but ended with the loss of the northern half of the country to [[Jurchens|Jurchen]] invasion in [[1127]]. At that time, the Court fled south, making its new capital at [[Hangzhou]] (then called Lin'an), marking the beginning of the [[Southern Song Dynasty]].

The Northern Song Dynasty, with its capital at [[Kaifeng]] (then called Baijing), united China around [[960]] following the fractured period known as the [[Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms]]. It was a period of particular cultural, economic, and technological flourishing for China, but ended with the loss of the northern half of the country to [[Jurchens|Jurchen]] invasion in [[1127]]. At that time, the Court fled south, making its new capital at [[Hangzhou]] (then called Lin'an), marking the beginning of the [[Southern Song Dynasty]].

The last emperor of the Northern Song, [[Emperor Huizong]] (r. [[1100]]-[[1126]]), is known as a particular lover of the arts. He is famous for his distinctive "Slender Gold" style of calligraphy, and for several paintings which are easily among the most famous Chinese paintings today.

The last emperor of the Northern Song, [[Emperor Huizong]] (r. [[1101]]-[[1125]]), is known as a particular lover of the arts. He is famous for his distinctive "Slender Gold" style of calligraphy, and for several paintings which are easily among the most famous Chinese paintings today.

[[Image:Huizong-Cranes.jpg|center|thumb|750px|''Auspicious Cranes'', painting and calligraphy by [[Emperor Huizong]], [[1112]].]]

[[Image:Huizong-Cranes.jpg|center|thumb|750px|''Auspicious Cranes'', painting and calligraphy by [[Emperor Huizong]], [[1112]].]]