『추안급국안』에 수록된 증인 진술의 의미 고찰 –인목대비 저주 혐의 관련 궁중 나인 진술을 중심으로

Abstract

This study aims to examine the significance of the testimonies provided by court maids concerning the accusations of treason and curse against Queen Inmok, as documented in the legal compendium 『Chuan and Gukan』, which records the interrogation statements of major criminals during the late Joseon period. The testimonies of the court maids are significant because they represent the voices of individuals who are relatively marginalized in historical records. These testimonies provide crucial insights into not only the specific events but also the daily lives, duties, and livelihoods of these women in the palace during that time. For this study, the background of the incidents surrounding Queen Inmok was first examined. The political struggles of the era, as recorded in the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty, were reviewed, with particular attention to the power shifts surrounding figures like Yi I-cheom. Following this, the testimonies of the court maids recorded in 『Chuan and Gukan』 were analyzed to understand the personal experiences of these women in the context of shifting power structures within the palace. The testimonies not only offer clues for understanding historical events but also reveal how the political conflicts and power dynamics of the time affected their personal lives.