The Mac Dynasty and the Career of protecting national territorial sovereignty during the period of its reign in Thang Long (1527-1592)

Abstract

The Dai Viet’s territory under the Mac Dynasty from 1527 to 1592 covered the entire former Le Dynasty’s territory, which existed from the 15th century and was taken over by the Mac. In the course of history, however, there were two conflicting forces - the Southern Dynasty and the Northern Dynasty, and the former then came to share a portion of the latter’s domain, thus, Dai Viet territory during the Mac Dynasty (1527-1592) was not only managed by the Mac Dynasty (Northern Dynasty) but also by the Le Dynasty (Southern Dynasty) in two historical periods: from 1527 to 1554 and from 1554 to 1592. During these two historical periods, although there were some fluctuations, the Mac was still able to manage its vast domain and effectively exercised the dynastic
territorial sovereignty. The Mac Dynasty sent officials and soldiers to guard distant regions such as Thanh-Nghe, the southernmost areas, such as Thuan-Quang (the first period 1527-1554) and the lands belonging to Northern thừa tuyên units (both periods: 1527-1554; 1554-1592), and at the same time built a governmental system at all levels to administer. Many officials with high educated degrees and important positions were sent by the court to the various thừa tuyên to manage armies and people, to guard the land, and to establish their sovereignty over the inherited territories.