[1][2] Mạc Mậu Hợp was born in 1560 at Đông Đô.

In 1592, the Southern dynasty's forces under lord Trịnh Tùng conquered the capital Đông Đô along with the rest of the Northern provinces.

Mạc Mậu Hợp was captured during the retreat at one pagoda of Phượng Nhỡn district (Lạng Giang prefecture) and was cut to pieces over three days at Thảo Tân margin (Đông Đô).

However, his son Mạc Toàn and other successors continued to hold Cao Bình county during 1592–3.

Firstly, his temple name was named as Mục Tông (穆宗) then changed as Anh Tổ (英祖) by duke Mạc Kính Cung.