10
Stele records of Doctoral laureates of Nhâm Tuất royal exam (1502)

Reign title: Cảnh Thống V (1502)

Erection time: on 10th of 11th Lunar month of 5th Cảnh Thống thứ (1502) 

Size of stele: 155cm in height, 111cm in width, 15cm in thickness. 

Shape: Flat, stone gray color

The pediment, body and tortoise. The pediment has an arched shape, adorned with the pattern of "Sacred clouds and gems." The body of the stele is currently cracked, and the edges of the stele are decorated with vine patterns. The inscription "Triện" runs horizontally across the pediment, with a height of 7cm. tortoise with a large head, no legs, large eyes. The eyes and nose form the shape of the letter T, smooth and polished.

On 82 stone steles at Văn Miếu - Quốc Tử Giám, the number of doctoral laureates inscribed on each stele ranges from 3 to 62. Stele of doctoral laureates of Nhâm Tuất royal exam the reign title of Cảnh Thống V (1502), is one of the two steles with the highest number of doctoral laureates' names inscribed; Stele records of doctoral laureates of Mậu Tuất royal exam the Reign title of Hồng Đức IV (1478), has 62 doctoral laureates' names inscribed, while stele records of doctoral laureates of Nhâm Tuất royal exam (1502) has 61 doctoral laureates' names inscribed.

In the Spring of the year of Nhâm Tuất, under the reign title of Cảnh ThốngV (1502), the Ministry of Rites organised a Royal examination attracting 5,000 participants (first round). After four tests, 61 candidates were selected. Then Emporor Lê Hiến Tông set the topic for the second round for rating: Lê Ích Mộc to the Trạng nguyên (1st-grade laureate). Lê Sạn became Bảng nhãn (2nd-grade laureate). Nguyễn Văn Thái became Thám hoa (3rd-grade laureate). 2nd class doctoral laureates: twenty four persons. 3rd class doctoral laureates, thirty four persons.

Composed by the Minister of Rites Đàm Văn Lễ (title: Lễ bộ Thượng thư, Gia Hạnh đại phu, Tả Xuân phường Tả Dụ đức, kiêm Đông các Đại học sĩ, Khuông Mỹ doãn Đàm), doctoral laureate of the Kỷ Sửu royal exam Reign title Quang Thuận X (1469).