본 논문은 16세기에 경상도 상주에 기반을 두고 활약한 황맹헌에 대해 가계와 출사, 정국·정난 공신의 참여와 활약, 공신 훈호의 삭훈·복훈과 진퇴로 나누어 살펴보았다. 황맹헌은 황희의 현손으로, 그의 상주 기반은 증조부 황보신의 처향에 해당하는 상주의 처변 재산이 모태가 되어 조성되었다. 황맹헌의 조부와 부친이 황보신의 장물죄에 연좌되어 사환에 많은 제약을 받았던 것과는 달리, 황맹헌 형제들은 증조부의 연좌죄에서 완전히 벗어나 있었기에 과거를 통한 출사와 청요직을 포함한 적극적인 사환이 가능했다. 그리고 5형제의 맏형인 황맹헌은 연산군대에 생원시에 입격하고 문과에 급제했으며, 청요직인 사간원 정언에까지 진출했다. 중종반정 이후에는 정국공신 4등과 정난공신 3등에 책봉되어 10여 년간 의정부 사인-승정원 승지-호조참판-형조참판-공조참판-대사헌-전라도관찰사-예조참판-강원도관찰사, 다시 형조참판에 제수되는 등 종2품의 주요 관직으로 활약하였다. 그러나 중종 12년 정난공신에서 삭훈되고, 다시 중종 14년에 정국공신의 삭훈과 복훈이 진행되는 과정에서 황맹헌의 관직생활도 순탄하지만은 않았다. 수년간 관직에서 물러나 지내기도 했는데, 그때마다 어머니가 살던 고향 상주는 재충전의 터전이었다. 정국공신으로 장원군에 봉해진 황맹헌은 정2품 자헌대부에까지 올랐으며, 한성판윤, 경기관찰사를 거쳐 지중추부사로 중종 23년(1528)에 타계했다. 그 동안 황맹헌의 졸년에 대해서는 미상未詳 또는 가정 14년(1535)에 64세로 타계했다고 알려져 있었으나, 본 연구에서는 당대 자료인 실록 기사의 정밀한 고증을 통해 중종 23년에 57세로 타계했음을 밝혔다.
This paper examines Hwang Maeng-heon, whom actively lived in 16<SUP>th</SUP> Century while building his political base in Sangju, Gyungsang-do, by dividing his history into three parts: his family and his nomination to his governal post, heroic activities and participations during political peace/crisis [Jung-gook·Jung-nan Gongshin], deletion and recovery of his honorable title, among with his advance and retreat. Hwang Maeng-heon is Hwang Hee’s great-great-grandson, and his foundation in Sangju was built by land property of his wife’s family, which was also his great-grandfather Hwang Boshin’s wife’s hometown. Unlike his father and grandfather, who had many restriction in their political place because of collective punishment from Hwang Boshin’s theft, Maeng-heon and his brothers were free from collective punishment, so they could challenge for governal post by taking state exams [Gwageo] including high important positions [Cheong-yo Jik]. Furthermore, eldest son Maeng-heon passed Saengwonsi exam(exam for qualifications to enter Sungkyunkwan) and Mun-gwa exam(exam to become civil servant), and became Saganwon Jung-eon(a post which was one of Cheong-yo Jiks) during years of Yeonsan-kun’s reign. After Joongjong-banjung, when King Joongjong became next king, Hwang Maeng-heon got 4<SUP>th</SUP> Jung-gook Gongshin and 3<SUP>rd</SUP> Jung-nan Gongshin, so he actively worked in major posts of Jong-2-poom in a row, such as [Ei-jungboo Sa-in], [Seungjungwon Seungji], [Hojochampan], [Hyungjochampan], [Gongjochampan], [Daesaheon], [Gwanchalsa of Jeonra-do], [Yejochampan], [Gwanchalsa of Gangwon-do], and [Hyungjochampan] again. However, in 12<SUP>th</SUP> year of King Joongjong, he got deleted from his promotion of Jung-nan Gongshin. 2 years later, his fame of Jung-gook Gongshin were also deleted, then restored again, and with those events Maeng-heon’s governal life was very rough. During those periods he resigned from his office for few years, and went back to Sangju (which was his mother’s hometown) to recharge his batteries. Finally, Hwang Maeng-heon were appointed as Jangwon Goon of Jung-gook Gongshin, and his position rose to Jung-2-poom [Jahundaebu]. He also worked in [Hangsungpanyoon], [Gwanchalsa of Gyunggi-do], [Jijoong-chubusa], and then passed away in 23<SUP>rd</SUP> year of King Jungjong. Until now, Hwang Meong-heon’s year of death were known as ‘unknown’ or ‘1535(14<SUP>th</SUP> year of Ming Emperor Gajung) at his age 64’. However, accurate research from <The Veritable Records of Joseon King Dynasty> in this paper first indicates that Hwang Maeng-hun’s death was in Jungjong year 23<SUP>rd</SUP>, at his age 57.