Early Lê dynasty

Early Lê Dynasty
House of Early Lê 前黎朝
980–1009
Capital		Hoa Lư[1]
Languages		Ancient Annamese
Religion		Buddhism
Government		Monarchy
Emperor
•	980–1005	Lê Đại Hành (first)
•	1005	Lê Trung Tông
•	1005–1009	Lê Ngọa Triều (Last)
History
•	Established	980
•	Disestablished	1009
Preceded by Succeeded by Đinh dynasty Lý dynasty
Today part of		Vietnam  China

History of Vietnam
2879–258 BC Hồng Bàng dynasty 2879–1913 BC • Early Hồng Bàng 1912–1055 BC • Mid-Hồng Bàng 1054–258 BC • Late Hồng Bàng 257–179 BC Thục dynasty 207–111 BC Triệu dynasty 111 BC–40 AD 1st Chinese domination 40–43 Trưng Sisters 43–544 2nd Chinese domination 544–602 Early Lý dynasty 602–938 3rd Chinese domination 939–967 Ngô dynasty 968–980 Đinh dynasty 980–1009 Early Lê dynasty 1009–1225 Later Lý dynasty 1225–1400 Trần dynasty 1400–1407 Hồ dynasty 1407–1427 4th Chinese domination 1407–1413 • Later Trần dynasty 1428–1788 Later Lê dynasty 1527–1592 • Mạc dynasty 1545–1787 • Trịnh clan 1558–1777 • Nguyễn clan 1778–1802 Tây Sơn dynasty 1802–1945 Nguyễn dynasty 1858–1945 French Indochina 1945 Empire of Vietnam From 1945 Republic 1945–1976 • North Vietnam (Democratic Republic of Vietnam) 1955–1975 • South Vietnam (Republic of Vietnam) From 1976 Unification of Vietnam
Further subjects Champa dynasties (192–1832) Historical capitals Prehistoric and ancient cultures List of monarchs Country's names Economic history Military history

The Early Lê dynasty (Vietnamese: Nhà Tiền Lê; Hán Nôm: 家前黎; pronounced [ɲâː tjə̂n le]) was a dynasty that ruled Đại Cồ Việt (now Vietnam) from 980 until 1009. It followed the Đinh dynasty, and was succeeded by the Lý dynasty. The dynasty ruled for a total of three generations and was known for repelling the Song invasion.

Lê Hoàn (980–1005)

Following threats from Song China, the Dowager Empress Dương Vân Nga granted Lê Hoàn (later proclaimed Emperor Lê Đại Hành) rule of the country, with the previous heir still an infant. Seeking to halt the oncoming Song forces, Lê Đại Hành made preparations for war. Although they suffered at the battle on the Bạch Đằng River, Lê Đại Hành's forces, under the command of General Phạm Cự Lượng, were successful at halting the overland advance of the Song forces. Seeking peace, Lê Đại Hành sent emissaries to negotiate for peace; thus the annual show of homage, and offerings to the Celestial Emperor of China was resumed, as a means to appease the Song dynasty.

In 990, Lê Đại Hành began the expeditions to Champa. After lengthy peace negotiations with the Cham kings, Champa agreed to be a vassal state.

Lê Đại Hành died in 1005, at the age of 65 and after 25 years of rule. In his will, Lê Đại Hành gave succession of the throne to his youngest son Lê Long Việt.

Lê Long Việt (1005)

Lê Long Việt's reign was very brief; he was assassinated by a coalition of his brothers Lê Ngân Tích, Lê Long Kính and Lê Long Đĩnh who refused to recognize him out of jealousy. Lê Long Việt emperor's name was Lê Trung or (Trang) Tông. After the assassination, all three brothers vied against one another for throne. Lê Ngân Tích was captured and beheaded while attempting to flee the country. Lê Long Kính "disappeared" and was never heard from again. The last remaining brother, Lê Long Đĩnh, took control of the country and proclaimed himself emperor.

Lê Long Đĩnh (1005–1009)

Lê Long Đĩnh's reign and court was famous for its "lying sessions," earning him the name Lê Ngọa Triều - the one who rules while lying.^[2] Lê Long Đĩnh's rule was characterized by debaucheries, wild orgies and decadence. Historians compare him to the Roman Emperor Nero as he was well known for his cruelties, not the least of which were sadism and torture (of relatives, prisoners, thieves, beggars, traitors, etc.) in which he loved to participate. The only person under his rule who did not fear or run away from him was the future emperor, Lý Công Uẩn (973–1028), a high-ranking mandarin counselor in the court.

Resentment from the public and the imperial court culminated, proceeding Lê Long Đĩnh's death. Under pressure from the public and from the Buddhist monks, the court agreed to enthrone Lý Công Uẩn as the new emperor, thus ending the Early Lê Dynasty. In its place, the Lý dynasty ushered in a new age for Vietnam, with a combination of Confucian and Buddhist influences making a recurrence in the new dynasty.

References

• (Russian) АНТОЛОГИЯ ТРАДИЦИОННОЙ ВЬЕТНАМСКОЙ МЫСЛИ. X начало XIII вв.