Trần Thái Tông facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Trần Thái Tông 陳太宗
Emperor of Đại Việt
Reign	11 January 1226 – 30 January 1258 (32 years, 79 days)
Predecessor	Lý Chiêu Hoàng
Successor	Trần Thánh Tông
Retired emperor of Trần dynasty
Reign	30 March 1258 – 5 May 1277
Predecessor	Trần Thừa
Successor	Trần Thánh Tông
Born	17 July 1218 Hương Tức Mặc, (present-day Nam Định)
Died	5 May 1277(1277-05-05) (aged 58) Thăng Long
Burial	31 October 1277 Chiêu Lăng
Spouse	Empress Chiêu Thánh (m. 1226–1237) Empress Thuận Thiên
Issue	Trần Thánh Tông Trần Ích Tắc
Full name Trần Cảnh (陳煚) Era name and dates Kiến Trung (建中): 1226–1232 Thiên Ứng Chính Bình (天應政平): 1232–1251 Nguyên Phong (元豐): 1251–1258 Regnal name Thống Thiên Ngự Cực Long Công Hậu Đức Hiền Công Hựu Thuận Thánh Văn Thần Vũ Hiếu Nguyên hoàng đế (統天御極隆功厚德顯功佑順聖文神武孝元皇帝) Posthumous name Thống Thiên Ngự 極隆功茂德顯和佑順神文聖武元孝皇帝 統天御極隆功茂德顯和佑順神文聖武元孝皇帝 Temple name Thái Tông (太宗)
House	Trần
Father	Trần Thừa
Mother	Lady Lê

Trần Thái Tông (born Trần Cảnh, 17 July 1218 – 5 May 1277) was the very first emperor of the Trần dynasty in Đại Việt (which is now Vietnam). He ruled for 33 years, from 1226 to 1258. After that, he became a "Retired Emperor" for another 19 years. He was a key leader during the first Mongol invasion of Vietnam. Later, he gave up his throne to his son, Trần Hoảng, who became Trần Thánh Tông.

Becoming Emperor: Early Life

The family of Trần Thái Tông, known as the Trần clan, originally came from a place called Fujian in China. They moved to Đại Việt a long time ago. Trần Cảnh was born in 1218. This was during the final years of the Lý dynasty, the ruling family before the Trần.

His uncle, Trần Thủ Độ, played a big part in his rise to power. Trần Thủ Độ arranged for Trần Cảnh to marry Empress Lý Chiêu Hoàng. She was the last empress of the Lý family. In 1226, she stepped down from her role. This made way for Trần Cảnh to become emperor and start the new Trần dynasty. His father, Trần Thừa, was also an important official in the Lý government.

Leading the Country: His Reign

First page of a Buddhist essay by Trần Thái Tông, around 1260.

During his time as emperor, Trần Thái Tông used different names for his ruling periods. These were Kiến Trung (1225–1232), Thiên Ứng Chính Bình (1232–1250), and Nguyên Phong (1251–1258).

In 1257, a Mongol general named Uriyangkhadai sent letters to Trần Thái Tông. He wanted to pass through Đại Việt to attack the Song dynasty in southern China. Trần Thái Tông had the Mongol messengers put in prison. Because of this, Uriyangkhadai invaded Đại Việt.

A big battle happened where the Vietnamese army used war elephants. The emperor himself led his army while riding an elephant. The Mongols shot arrows at the elephants' feet. This made the elephants panic and run, causing confusion in the Đại Việt army. The Vietnamese leaders managed to escape by boat.

The capital city, Thang Long, was evacuated. After nine days, the Mongol army left Thang Long to continue their invasion of the Song dynasty. After the Mongols left, Trần Thái Tông agreed to send gifts to the Mongol Empire every three years.

Trần Thái Tông was very smart and studied both Confucianism and Buddhism. He was known for ruling the country wisely. He also wrote several deep books about Buddhism. One of his most famous works is called Khoa Hu Luc, which is a guide to Zen Buddhism. He wrote many things, but only a few of his works still exist today.

In 1258, he decided to step down as emperor. He gave the throne to his son, crown prince Trần Hoảng, who became Emperor Trần Thánh Tông.

His Family

Tomb of Trần Thái Tông in Long Hưng, Thái Bình Province.

Trần Thái Tông had several children. His most famous son was Trần Thánh Tông, who became the next emperor. Other notable children included Trần Ích Tắc and Trần Nhật Duật. He also had several daughters, including Princess Thiên Thành and Princess An Tư.

• Father: Trần Thái Tổ
• Mother: Lady Lê thị
• Brother(s) and sister(s):
  • Older brother: King of Yên Sinh
  • Older sister: Princess Thụy Bà, who adopted Great King of Hưng Đạo
  • Younger brother: King of Khâm Thiên
  • Younger brother: King of Hoài Đức
• Spouses and their Children:
  • Empress Consort Chiêu Thánh
    • Crown Prince Trần Trịnh (who died young)
  • Empress Consort Thuận Thiên
    • Prince Trần Quốc Khang, later King of Tĩnh Quốc
    • Crown Prince Trần Hoảng, who became Emperor Trần Thánh Tông
    • Prince Trần Quang Khải, later Great King of Chiêu Minh
• Other Children:
  • Prince Trần Nhật Vĩnh, King of Bình Nguyên
  • Prince Trần Duy, King of Vũ Uy
  • Prince Trần Quang Xưởng, King of Chiêu Đạo
  • Prince Trần Ích Tắc, King of Chiêu Quốc
  • Prince Trần Nhật Duật, King of Chiêu Văn
  • Prince Trần Uất, King of Minh Hiến
  • Princess Thiên Thành, later Queen Nguyên Từ of Great King of Hưng Đạo
  • Princess Thiều Dương
  • Princess Thụy Bảo, later wife of General Trần Bình Trọng
  • Princess An Tư, later wife of Prince Toghan of Yuan dynasty. Prince Toghan was a son of Kublai Khan.