TYLA: The system of titles during the Early Le Dynasty

Author's name: Pham Hoang Manh Ha

Thesis title:The system of titles during the Early Le Dynasty

Field of study of the thesis: History

Major: Vietnamese History Code: 60 22 03 13

Name of the postgraduate training unit: University of Social Sciences and Humanities - Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

1. Purpose and scope of the thesis

Research objectivesClarify the following aspects related to titles during the Early Le Dynasty:

­- The recipients of titles and the system of titles.

- Benefits for those who are granted titles.

- Characteristics and nature of the titles and ranks of the Early Le Dynasty.

- Based on the advantages and disadvantages of the title system during the Early Le Dynasty, relate it to the current policy of utilizing talented individuals.

Research subjects:

When mentioning a key figure in the Le So dynasty, we often refer to their "official position" and "title." The official position indicates the high or low rank within the political system; the title indicates the level of contribution to the dynasty or blood relationship with the Emperor.

This dissertation studies titles, which are the system of titles bestowed by the Emperor upon meritorious officials and members of the royal family.

2. Research methods used

The thesis employs traditional historical methods for information gathering. Statistical, comparative, and cartographic methods are applied to analyze and interpret the documents.

In addition, the dissertation utilizes interdisciplinary research results, such as combining historical research with field surveys and archaeological fieldwork; and methods of processing historical data from epigraphic and genealogical documents.

3. Main results and conclusions

3.1. Main results

- Identifying the title system during the Early Le Dynasty across two periods: During the reign of Le Thai To, there were three levels of titles for the royal family (Duke, Prince, King), and two levels of titles for meritorious officials (Marquis, Prince). During the reign of Le Thanh Tong, the title system for the royal family consisted of seven levels (Prince, Prince, Duke, Marquis, Count, Viscount, Baron), and the title system for meritorious officials consisted of four levels (Duke, Duke, Marquis, and Count).

- Clarifying the privileges enjoyed by those holding titles. Notably, highlighting the special privileges reserved for the royal family and high-ranking officials that contemporary officials could not obtain.

- Clearly identify the characteristics and nature of the Le So dynasty's title system: the separation between "fame" and "position," the element of illusory land grants, the centralized power of the monarchy, and the strong ties between clans...

- Analyze the impact of titles and ranks on the Early Le Dynasty in two aspects: social organization and governmental organization.

- Highlight the advantages and disadvantages of bestowing titles.

3.2. Conclusion

The title system of the Early Le Dynasty was a product of the Early Le Dynasty but incorporated elements from the title systems of other Vietnamese dynasties, from the Ngo, Dinh, Early Le, Ly, and Tran dynasties, and even further back, modeled after Chinese dynasties in many aspects. Each Early Le dynasty established and modified these systems to suit its governmental organization, with similarities and differences; leading to variations in the title system across dynasties. Overall, however, it was a formalized and legalized method of classifying and organizing high-ranking personnel.

The Le So Dynasty's system of titles was structured into royal titles and meritorious official titles; they were both related and separate, restraining and complementing each other, but ultimately regulating the internal relationships of the aristocracy, thus greatly influencing the government and society of the time.

Titles were created within the monarchy, and during the Early Le Dynasty, a period of extremely strong centralized power, the primary purpose of titles was to consolidate the ruling position of the head of state. In particular, when the privileges of the titleholder conflicted with royal power, the final decision rested with the Emperor; at this point, the law itself was rendered ineffective.

On another level, the system of titles also clearly reflects the development of the Early Le Dynasty through three stages: establishment, peak development, and gradual decline. In the late years of the Early Le Dynasty, the system of titles was violated and broken down in many ways. In other words, "peaceful times" are a crucial condition for a dynasty to build a system of titles, but that system is very easily shaken and can completely collapse under "turbulent times".

Practical applications: In the current context, where issues such as talent utilization, cadre appointments, cadre planning, rewarding meritorious individuals, and salaries for public officials have become highly relevant topics, frequently discussed in the National Assembly, the system of titles during the Early Le Dynasty, along with its characteristics, especially the "dual nature" of titles, will serve as a necessary foundation for learning, absorbing, and drawing lessons from it.

The research findings of this dissertation serve as a valuable reference for teaching and research on Vietnamese history, the Le So dynasty, and the Vietnamese official system throughout history.

SUMMARY OF DOCTORAL THESIS

The author's name:Pham Hoang Manh Ha

Thesis title:The Official Title System of the Later Le dynasty

Scientific branch of the thesis:Association

Major:YG MusicCode:60 22 03 13

The name of the postgraduate training institution:University of Social Sciences and Humanities - Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

1. Thesis purpose and objectives

          Purpose of the thesisis to clarify the contents related to the official title system of the Later Le dynasty in the following aspects:

- Persons who were granted titles and the system of official titles.

- Privileges for ones who were granted titles.

- Features and characteristics of the official title system of the Later Le dynasty.

- On the basis of analyzing the advantages and disadvantages of the official title system of the Later Le dynasty, the thesis draws lessons for the current policy of talent deployment.

          The main objective of the thesisis the official titles. This is the system of official titles that conferred by the emperors to the meritorious officials and the members of the royal family.

When we mention an important figure of the Later Le Dynasty, we often refer to "office" and "title". The "office" indicates a high or low position in the government system, while the "title" shows the degree of contribution to the dynasty or blood relationship with the emperor.

2. Research methods

The thesis uses traditional historical methods to collect materials. Statistical, comparative, and cartographic methods have been applied to analyze and interpret documents.

Besides, the thesis uses interdisciplinary research results such as combining historical research with field survey. For materials like epitaphs or family annals, the thesis uses historical methodology to analyze and critique historical data.

3. Major results and conclusions

3.1. Major results

- The thesis determines the official title system of the Later Le dynasty through two periods: 1) Under the rule of Le Thai To, there were three ranks of titles for members of the royal family (Quan Cong, Quan Vuong, Quoc Vuong), and two ranks of titles for the meritorious officials (Hau tuoc, Tri tu); 2) During the reign of Le Thanh Tong, there were seven ranks of titles for members of the royal family (Than vuong, Than tu vuong, Cong, Hau, Ba, Tu and Nam titles), and four ranks of titles for the meritorious officials (Quoc cong, Quan cong, Hau and Ba titles).

- The thesis clarifies on the benefits enjoyed by title holders. It is notable that there are privileges reserved for royalty and title holders that could not be obtained by incumbent mandarins.

- The thesis specifies the characteristics and properties of the official title system of the Later Le dynasty in all aspects, such as the separation between "fame" and "position", the element of virtual land, the monarchical centralism, lineage connections and so on.

- The thesis explains the effects of the official title system on the Later Le dynasty in two points of view: social organization and Government organization.

- The thesis brings forward the positives and limitations of granting official titles.

3.2. Conclusions

- The official title system under the Later Le dynasty was a product of the royal dynasty itself. However, it still had the reception of the systems of official titles from previous Vietnamese dynasties, and moreover, reproduced those of Chinese dynasties in several aspects.

- The official title system of the later Le Dynasty was divided into two types, one for the royal family and one for meritorious officials. These two types of official title system had relationships that were mutually restrictive and complementary, with the primary goal being to regulate the internal relationships of the aristocracy. Therefore, the official title system had a major impact on the contemporary government and society.

- The official title system was established in the monarchy. For the Later Le dynasty, this was a time when centralism was extremely strong, so the main purpose of the official title system was to consolidate the dominant position of the ruler. Especially if the privilege of the title holder contradicted the royalty, the emperor would be the final decision maker, at this point the law should not even be effective.

- On the other hand, the official title system also clearly shows the development of the Later Le dynasty through three stages: establishment, development to its peak, and gradually decline. In the dusk of the dynasty, the official title system was violated and broken down from different angles. In other words, "peacetime" is a prerequisite for a dynasty to build an official title system, but that system is very vulnerable and can be completely collapsed in "troubled times".

- Practical applicability: Currently, the problem of appreciating talents, planning and appointing officials and dealing with credited people has become a major issue. This issue has also been the subject of much discussion in the National Assembly. In this context, the official title system of the Later Le dynasty, with its characteristics, in particular the "duality" of titles, would provide more or less lessons for the personnel policy of the government.