Chronology of Dae Jang
Geum
The chronological time line of the Jewel in the Palace drama:
1479
King Seong-jongs queen was ousted from the palace.
The reason is that she dared to scratch on the kings cheek because
of her jealousy.
1482
The ousted queen was executed by poison, coughing up blood.
She left her mother a piece of fabric permeated by her blood,
saying show this blood when my son becomes a king
(* The execution was fictionally carried out by Jang-geums father
in episode 1.)
1494
Her crown prince Yeon-san became the 10th ruler of Chosun
dynasty.
King Yeon-san was not so bad at the beginning. He was just a lonely
king dreaming about a kingdom of an absolute monarch.
1497
Jang-geum was born. 
1504
King Yeon-san finally knew the truth of his mothers death.
He almost got mad and killed all the people related to his mothers
death remorselessly without weighing their sin.
(* Jang Geums father was arrested and mother was killed, leaving
Jang Geum alone, in episode 2.)
1506
Coup detat. King Yeon-san was ousted 12 years after his
coronation.
King Jung-Jong (1488~1544), the 11th ruler of Chosun dynasty,
mounted the throne at the age of 18. He was Yeon-sans younger
brother by a different mother.
(* Little Jang Geum took part in the coup without intention, which
made her go to the palace as a royal kitchen maid in episode 3.
)
However, King Jung-jongs first wife was also forced to be ousted
by cabinet ministers who led to the coup, because her family
members were related to the deposed king.
(* King Jung-jong was deeply grieved over losing his beloved wife,
but he had no actual power to protect her. He knew that he was just
a kind of puppet king appointed by ministers. )
1515
King Jung-jongs second queen died soon after giving birth to a
son. Later, the son became crown prince.
Jo Gwang-jo (1482~1519), a famous social reformist, passed the
state exam to be a government officer.
1517
King Jung-jong married his third wife, Queen Mun-jeong
(1501~1565).
(* It is the young queen who is appearing on The Great Jang-geum
drama.)
1518
Jo Gwang-jo eventually came into power of the government with
supports of the king.
Jung-jong took advantage of him in order to weaken the political
power of ministers as well as to strengthen his position as an
absolute monarch.
1519
Ministers entrapped Jo Gwang-jo by using leaves saying Jo will be
a new king. Rumors spread.
Jo Gwang Jo was finally expelled and executed with an allegation of
high treason.
(* Jang Geum and Lady Han was also expelled in connection with this
case, although they didnt have any connection in actual.)
1520
The (dead) second queens son was chosen as crown prince.
(* He would be In-jong (1515~1545), the 12th king of Chosun
dynasty)
1534
Queen Mun-jeong (the third queen) gave birth to Prince
Kyeong-won.
(* He would be Myeong-jong (1534~1567), the 13th king. )
Conflicts over the throne between the two legitimate heirs of the
kingdom kicked off.
(* Sir Oh and Choi family are on the side of the crown prince,
while the Queen tries to make her son the crown prince.)
1544
King Jung-jong died of intestinal obstruction.
The crown prince mounted the throne and became King
In-jong.
1545
King In-jong died just one year after his coronation.
His younger brother Myeong-jong, the son of Queen Mun-jeong,
became a king at the age of 12.
The Queen Regent Mun-jeongs reign began.
NB:
The year of episode 37 or 38 could be 1536 or 1537.
The flow of story line is approximately the same as the time line
of the history. But age of characters does not fit in. Youd better
ignore the inconsistency of their age with their appearance.
