단성민란과 향리층의 지속과 변동

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the existence patterns of the Hyangni class around the Danseong Revolt. The investigator revisited the social maintenance and change issues in late Joseon by looking into how the Hyangnis, who were the perpetrators for the powerful and administrative staff in the front line, coped with a crisis situation in the 19th century and how the central and local ruling classes perceived their existence. The Hyangnis, who were the main target of attack by people in the process of Danseong Revolt, continued to take care of gun and hyeon administration around the traditional Hyangni families even after the revolt. Even though the leading figures of the revolt insisted that the core characters of the Hyangni Poheum should be punished, the representatives of the central government ignored their claim and restored Hyangnis to the front line of administration. It is apparent that it was more urgent to control people through the old administrative organization as far as the central government and local governors were concerned. The Hyangnis of Danseong tried to form a kind of network with local noble families, with whom they used to have confrontational relationships in terms of taxes. Their efforts are confirmed in their relationships with Kim In-seop, a nobleman representing the area. The Hyangnis of Danseong and its neighboring areas made frequent visits to him for various reasons such as tax issues, information delivery between the central government and local government, greetings, and personal favors. It was also natural that they attended to his personal convenience in the process. The existing Hyangnis, one of the major causes of the Danseong Revolt,survived instead of collapsing because of two reasons: first, the central and local government put their trust in them for their professional administrative skills sharpened over generations; and secondly, the Hyangnis formed a network with various powerful groups around the area.