廣州鄕校의 移建과 重修

Abstract

Although it is not known when Gwangju Hyaonggyo(country school) was established, scholars speculate that it was built in the Goryeo period, or more precisely, before 1418, as a historical record shows that Pijahyu, a former Gwangjugyosugwan(廣州敎授官), suggested the King that the number of the school staff should be increased in 1418(18th year of King Taejong). Gwangju Hyanggyo was transferred to a different place after it was founded, but the exact date of when the country school moved to where is controversial. For instance, according to a treatise entitled Jungjeongnamhanji, the school moved to a different location in 1703(29th year of King Sukjong’s reign), while a document entitled Hakgyodeungnok says it was not until 1723 that the school was established in a different location. Hakgyodeungnok also records that the school moved to the site of an old public office because the school building was worn out and about to be dismantled. However, rumor has it that Sim Ho, the father of Queen Sim, had the school moved to a different place in order to raise his tomb on that site. Although we do not know if Sim Ho was really involved in the transfer of the school, it holds true that Sim’s graveyard was near the school. Also, the school filed a complaint with the government several times regarding the matter of transferring Sim’s tomb in around 1724. Gwangju Hyanggyo covered its expenses for the maintenance of the school and the performance of the Seokjeon ritual, which was held in spring and fall every year, by asking the local government to provide it with Wonrim and Gwandunjeon and allow it to possess the lot where the school stood before it moved to a new location. It also levied land taxes on Deukgyeong, Sullye, and Jatgeum, who lived in Dunji-dong, and taxes on salt shops and malted wheat wholesalers in the nearby markets including Songpajang and Sapyeongjang. Various documents including letters of appeal by government officials and records on the remodeling of the school building, which kept in the Gwangju Hyanggyo testify that the school had been renovated on a regular basis. Those records make scholars speculate that there was a gate called Hongjeonmun at the school when it was moved to a new site in around 1724 and Dongje, which was recently restored, and Iknang survived until 1724 and 1956, respectively.