Ho Si Duong – Lord’s grand counsellor – and prominent merits to Dai Viet in 17th century

DOI: 10.18173/2354-1067.2021-0013

Abstract

In the Le - Trinh period, particularly under the reign of Emperor Le Hy Tong and Lord Trinh Tac, Ho Si Duong was a well-known historical figure. Assuming the position of Tham tụng (参 從), which had equal power to a prime minister (宰相), Ho Si Duong has left eminent marks in a range of fields, comprising military, politics, diplomacy, social-culture, especially in the aspect of “institutional reform”. He is considered a talented mandarin in the political history of Dai Viet (大越) in the seventeenth century. Based on diverse sources, including history written by the imperial court, official regulations, the information inscribed on the stela (translated version), folk material, the article will shed light on Ho Si Duong’s critical marks and influential contributions to his homeland – Nghe An province in particular as well as to the Dai Viet’s history in general.