The Lives of the Figures Enshrined at Palbong Seowon(八峯書院) in Chungju(忠州) and the 16th-Century Sahwa(士禍)

Palbong Seowon(八峯書院) in Chungju was established in 1582(the 15th year of King Seonjo’s reign), making it the fourth in Chungcheongjwado and the first in Chungju-mok. The four figures enshrined at Palbong Seowon are Yi Ja(李耔), Yi Yeon-gyeong(李延慶), Kim Se-pil(金世弼), and No Su-sin(盧守愼). These individuals were all Sarim(士林) who were involved in and suff ered from the 16th-century Sahwa(士禍), and they represented a new emerging force in 16th-century Joseon, advocating for ‘wangdojeongchi’ and demanding reforms. These individuals endured the trials of the Gimyo Sahwa(己卯士禍) and Eulsa Sahwa(乙巳士禍), and then settled in Chungju due to connections such as their wives’ hometowns or their own birthplaces. They propagated the academic tradition of the Sarim and established academic lineages, signifi cantly infl uencing the Chungju region. Yi Yeon-gyeong successfully implemented Hyangyak(鄕約), a representative aspect of the Sarim’s academic tradition, in Chungju. Yi Ja, Yi Yeon-gyeong, and Kim Se-pil, infl uenced by the academic lineage extending from Kim Goeng-pil to Jo Gwang-jo, subsequently formed the academic network of the Sarim, centered in Chungju. Their academic lineage was passed down to Yi Yeon-gyeong’s son-in-law, No Su-sin and Kang Yu-seon (康惟善), and to Kim Se-pil’s son, Kim Jeo (金䃴). Furthermore, to revere and continue their teachers’ Sarim spirit, Kang Bok-seong(康復誠), Kang Yu-seon’s son, took the lead, and local offi cials joined forces to establish Palbong Seowon in 1582 by enshrining Yi Ja and Yi Yeon-gyeong. Later, Kim Sepil and No Su-sin were additionally enshrined in 1612. After the 16th century, the academic tradition of the Chungju Sarim was more systematically taught through Palbong Seowon, and its academic network expanded.