효명세자의 상장례와 代理聽政 세자의 위상

Abstract

Examined in this article is basically the result of the Mourning Attire(服制) Controversy that continued for years during the latter half period of Joseon. And the focus of this article is the case in which the Crown prince (whose death was mourned) was actually an Interim overseer of dynastic governance. Crown prince Hyo’myeong died during serving his task as an overseer(代理聽政) designated by the king, and the Royal funeral(‘Ryejang, 禮葬’) arranged for him was the last one ever performed for the Crown prince during the rest of Joseon period. By exploring certain characteristics featured in his funeral hopefully we would be able to determine the unique nature of his status, and to that end the funeral and memorial service arranged for Hyo’myeong is examined here in chronological order and also by categories. In terms of procedures, other than the mourning attire requirements as well as the time point set for the memorial service, the funeral for Hyo’myeong was not that different from other ordinary Crown princes’ funerals. Yet the part that was different was surely peculiar. Especially the Mourning attire part was more than different from other ordinary examples, as King Sunjo and Queen Sun’weon wore ‘three-year’ mourning attires, based upon dictations made in Gukjo Sang’rye Bopyeon(國朝喪禮補編) from the era of King Yeongjo. It was an unprecedented practice since the very foundation of the Joseon dynasty. But of course, it would still be premature to conclude that such choice was made only because of the unique circumstances that surrounded Hyo’myeong’s death. Other evidences would be required. In terms of titles and terms, ordinary ones which had been used for the funeral of a Crown prince were generally used for Hyo’myeong as well, but terms that were only used in funerals for the kings do peculiarly appear in his funeral. And facts like an Ibmyo Dogam(入廟都監, Dogam office for the Enshrinement) was opened, and the Dogam office for the funeral was named not ‘Ryejang(禮葬) Dogam’ but ‘Jang’rye(葬禮) Dogam,’ indeed insinuate that Hyo’myeong’s funeral was regarded as an occasion a bit different from other Crown princes’ funeral. The internal structure of the Chanshil(欑室) chamber was also different, signifying Hyo’myeong’s unique status. The space which housed the Bing’gung(殯宮) and Hon’gung(魂宮) shrines for him should also be examined within the context of his case. The Hwan’gyeong- jeon(歡慶殿) shrine, which was used for his Bin’gung, and Tong’hwa-jeon(通和殿) and Munjeong-jeon(文政殿) shrines that were used for his Hon’gung, were all shrines that were generally reserved for the kings and queens to be used as their Binjeon(殯殿) and Honjeon(魂殿) spaces, so the fact that these spaces were used for Hyo’myeong also suggest the nature of his status. Of course, this could have been merely ordered by his father king Sunjo, who was on the throne when his son Hyo’myeong died, out of extreme sorrow and love, but it should be noted that no vassal even questioned such decision. We can see that his unique status was acknowledged by the officials as well.