조선후기 구례 개성왕씨가의 고문서 검토 - 구례 개성왕씨가의 성장과 顯祖顯揚活動을 중심으로-

Abstract

This study examined the movements of local aristocratic families who failed to enter government service and devoted themselves to ruling local society through the case of the Gaeseong Wang family(開城王氏家門) who inhabited in Gurye, Jeollado. In the awake of a political purge in the 15th century, the Wang family moved from Gwacheon to Gurye. Since then, the family settled down as an aristocratic family. Among the Wang family members, Mrs. Im, the wife of the man who established the village, was introduced as a virtuous woman in a book 『Sinjeung Dongguk yeoji seungnam(新增東國輿地勝覽)』. In addition, during Jeongyujaeran(丁酉再亂), Wang Deuk-in(王得仁) and his son, Wang Ui-seong(王義成) became uibyeongs and fought against Japanese soldiers at Seokjugwan(石柱關) in Gurye. Through this, the Wang family acquired reputation as a family which produced loyal people. After the war, the Wang family was continuously included in 「Hyangan(鄕案)」 and 「Cheonggeumrok(靑衿錄)」 produced in Gurye and after the destruction of the two documents, the family joined 「Cheonggeumgye(靑襟稧)」 whose members were all from aristocratic families in Gurye. The Wang family tried to maintain their status and influence by establishing community ties with aristocratic families, especially the descendant of Seokjugwan(石柱關) seven patriots(七義士) through marriage. From the late 18th century, the Gaeseong Wang family developed family activities to admire their outstanding ancestors' admirable activities. In 1786, a lineages shrine, NamJeonsa(藍田祠), was established to praise Wang Ji-ik's scholarship, virtue and filial piety. In addition, the discovery of a manifesto that proved the uibyeong activities of Seokjugwan seven patriots at Hwaeomsa(華嚴寺) in 1798 caused the family to work more aggressively to make their ancestor's achievements known to the world. As a result, in 1804 the seven patriots were given an official rank. Later, the Wang family requested the government to erect a commemoratives arch to admire Wang Deuk-in and his son, Wang Ui-seong and finally in 1812, Chungsinjeongryeo(忠臣旌閭) was established to praise their loyalty. After all, the Wang family was recognized as a family that produced people who demonstrated loyalty, filial piety and virtue, soon after they settled in Gurye. Therefore, they could maintain their status as influential aristocratic families amid rapidly changing late Joseon society.