TYLA: The title system of the Early Le Dynasty

Author name: Pham Hoang Manh Ha

Thesis title:The title system in the Early Le Dynasty

Dissertation field: 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 research objects of the thesis

Research purpose: Clarifying the contents related to the titles of the Early Le Dynasty in the following aspects:

­- The subjects of conferment and the system of titles.

- Benefits for the person who is awarded the title.

- Characteristics and properties of the Le So dynasty.

- From the advantages and disadvantages of the feudal system in the Early Le Dynasty, related to the policy of using talented people in the current period.

Research object:

When referring to an important figure in the Le So government, we often talk about “official position” and “title”. Official position represents high or low position in the political apparatus; title represents the level of contribution to the dynasty or blood relationship with the Emperor.

The thesis studies titles, which is the system of titles granted by the Emperor to meritorious officials and royal family members.

2. Research methods used

The thesis uses traditional historical methods to collect information. Statistical, comparative and cartographic methods are applied to analyze and interpret documents.

In addition, the thesis uses interdisciplinary research results such as combining historical research with field surveys, archaeological fieldwork; historical data processing methods for stele and genealogical documents.

3. Main results and conclusions

3.1. Main results

- Determining the title system in the Early Le Dynasty through 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, Tri Tu). During the reign of Le Thanh Tong, the title system for the royal family consisted of 7 levels (Prince, Prince, Duke, Marquis, Count, Earl, and Baron), and the title system for meritorious officials consisted of 4 levels (National Duke, Duke, Marquis, Marquis, and Earl).

- Clarifying the rights enjoyed by people with titles. Notably, the privileges reserved for royalty and meritorious officials that current officials cannot have.

- Specify the characteristics and nature of the Le So dynasty: The separation between "fame" and "position", the virtual land element, the centralized monarchy, the clan connection...

- Analyze the impact of the feudal system on the Le So dynasty in two aspects: Social organization and government organization.

- State the positive and negative aspects of title conferment.

3.2. Conclusion

The title system of the Early Le Dynasty was a product of the Early Le State but was absorbed from the title system of the Vietnamese dynasties, from Ngo - Dinh - Tien Le - Ly - Tran and further, it was an imitation of the Chinese dynasties in many aspects. Each Early Le Dynasty had its own regulations and modifications to suit the government organization, with similarities and differences; leading to the titles of each dynasty being divided differently, but overall, it was a way to classify and organize high-level personnel, institutionalized and legalized.

The Le So title system consisted of royal titles and mandarin titles; both related and separate; restraining and complementing each other, but the highest level was still regulating the internal relationships of the aristocracy, so it greatly influenced the government and society at that time.

Titles were born in the monarchy, with the Early Le Dynasty, this was a period of extremely strong centralism, so the title system still aimed at the greatest purpose of consolidating the ruling position of the leader. In particular, when the privileges of the person who was granted a title and the royal power conflicted, the final decision belonged to the Emperor, at this time, the law was no longer even valid.

On the other hand, the title system also clearly shows the development process of the Early Le Dynasty through three stages: establishment, development to its peak and gradual decline. In the last years of the Early Le Dynasty, the title system was violated and broken from many angles. In other words, “peaceful times” are the essential condition for a dynasty to build a title system, but that system is very easily shaken and can completely collapse in “chaotic times”.

Practical applicability: In the current context, when the issue of talent promotion, appointment of officials, planning of officials, preferential treatment for meritorious people, and salaries for personnel in the public administration have become one of the topics of great interest, discussed many times in the National Assembly, the title system of the Early Le Dynasty with its characteristics, especially the "two-sided nature" of the title system, will more or less be a necessary premise for absorbing, learning, and drawing experience.

The research results of the Thesis are a source of reference for teaching and research on Vietnamese history, the Le So state as well as the Vietnamese mandarin system in 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:History

Major:Vietnamese HistoryCode: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 noteworthy 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.