History of Vietnam

Hồng Bàng Dynasty prior to 257 BCE Thục Dynasty 257–207 BCE First Chinese domination 207 BCE – 39 CE • Triệu Dynasty 207–111 BCE Trưng Sisters 40–43 Second Chinese domination 43–544 • Lady Triệu's Rebellion 248 Anterior Lý Dynasty Triệu Việt Vương 544–602 Third Chinese domination 602–905 • Mai Hắc Đế 722 • Phùng Hưng 791–798 Autonomy 905–938 • Khúc Family 906–930 • Dương Đình Nghệ 931–937 • Kiều Công Tiễn 937–938 Ngô Dynasty 939–967 • The 12 Lords Rebellion 966–968 Đinh Dynasty 968–980 Prior Lê Dynasty 980–1009 Lý Dynasty 1009–1225 Trần Dynasty 1225–1400 Hồ Dynasty 1400–1407 Fourth Chinese domination 1407–1427 • Posterior Trần Dynasty 1407–1413 • Lam Sơn Rebellion 1418–1427 Later Lê Dynasty 1428–1788 • Early Lê 1428–1788 • Restored Lê 1533–1788 • Mạc Dynasty 1527–1592 • Trịnh-Nguyễn War 1627–1673 Tây Sơn Dynasty 1778–1802 Nguyễn Dynasty 1802–1945 • Western imperialism 1887–1945 • Empire of Vietnam 1945 Indochina Wars 1945–1975 Partition 1954 • Democratic Republic  of Vietnam 1945–1949 and 1955–1976 • State of Vietnam 1949–1955 • Republic of Vietnam 1955–1975 • Rep. of South Vietnam 1975–1976 Socialist Republic of Vietnam from 1976   Related topics Kingdom of Champa c. 100–1471 List of Vietnamese monarchs Economic history of Vietnam Prehistoric cultures of Vietnam v • d • e

The Anterior Lê Dynasty or Prior Lê Dynasty (Vietnamese: Nhà Tiền Lê; IPA: /ɲa˨˩ tiən˨˩ le/) was a dynasty that ruled Vietnam after the Đinh Dynasty and before the Lý Dynasty. They ruled for a total of three generations and was known for repelling the Song invasion.

Lê Đại Hành Hoàng Đế (980-1005)

1. Lê Hoàn (940-1005): When the Song Dynasty (Tống in Vietnamese) menaced Đại Cồ Việt, with the heir to the throne an infant, the regent empress Dương Thái Hậu threw rule of the country to Lê Hoàn (940-1005). Lê Hoàn then proclaimed himself emperor Lê Đại Hành Hoàng Đế in 980. He then went with his general, Phạm Cự Lượng, to meet and battle the coming Song army. One of his victories was at the mouth of the Bạch Đằng River. After the victory, Lê Đại Hành sent out emissaries to negotiate for peace. Thus the annual show of homage, and offerings to the Celestial Emperor of China is resumed. With Lê Đại Hành, the southward expedition to Champa began in 990 and again in 994. Che Dong and Che Cai, the 2 successive Cham kings, negotiated with Lê Đại Hành for peace and agreed to be a Vietnamese vassal state.

2. Lê Đại Hành succession: Emperor Lê Đại Hành committed the same error as his predecessor Đinh Tiên Hoàng in that he repudiated his oldest son Lê Ngân Tích as heir to the throne. In his will, he gave preference to a younger son, Lê Long Việt. Lê Đại Hành died in 1005, at the age of 65 and after 25 years of rule.

Lê Long Việt, Lê Trưng Tôn (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's emperor-name was Lê Trưng or (Trang) Tôn. After the assassination, all three brothers vied against one another for one throne. Lê Ngân Tích was captured and beheaded while attempting to flee the country. Lê Long Kinh "disappeared" and was never heard from again. The last remaining brother, Lê Long Đĩnh, took control of the realm and proclaimed himself emperor.

Lê Ngọa Triều (1005-1009)

Lê Long Đĩnh's reign and court was famous for its "lying sessions" when presiding, giving reception, etc., earning him the name Lê Ngọa Triều. 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 Lý Công Uẩn (973-1028), a high-ranking mandarin counselor in the court.

The arrival of the Posterior Lý Dynasty (1009)

Never before in Vietnam's history had an emperor's rule been so hated as Lê Long Đĩnh's. The people and peasants at that time were sick and tired of the cruelty which marked his rule. A few counselors and monks were plotting to install a new ruler. When Lê Long Đĩnh died he left an infant son who was to succeed him, but the court, now heavily under the influence of monks and Buddhism, agreed to enthrone Lý Công Uẩn as the new emperor. As the first emperor of the Lý Dynasty, Lý Công Uẩn would take the emperor-name Lý Thái Tổ, inaugurating a new era in Vietnam's history.