Trần Thủ Độ facts for kids

Trần Thủ Độ (1194–1264) was a very important general and leader in ancient Vietnam. He was a key figure during the time of the Lý dynasty and helped start the Trần dynasty. He is known for helping his nephew, Trần Cảnh, become emperor. Trần Thủ Độ was a powerful leader who managed both government and military matters. His strong leadership helped the early Trần dynasty become stable. He also played a big part in Vietnam's victory against the first Mongol invasion.

Even though he was a skilled leader, some historians have different opinions about him. This is because he made some very tough decisions, like those involving the old Lý royal family. He also arranged a controversial marriage for Emperor Trần Thái Tông.

Early Life and Family Background

Trần Thủ Độ was born in 1194. He was the third son of Trần Quả. His family, the Trần clan, lived in a village called Lưu Gia (now in Thái Bình province). For many generations, his family had made their living by fishing.

In 1209, the emperor at the time, Lý Cao Tông, was removed from power by a general named Quách Bốc. The emperor and his court found safety at the home of Trần Lý, who was Trần Thủ Độ's uncle. Later that year, the emperor's son, Crown Prince Lý Sảm, married Trần Lý's daughter, Trần Thị Dung. Because of this marriage, the Trần family helped the emperor take back the capital city. As a reward, many Trần family members were given important jobs in the government. This included Tô Trung Từ, Trần Tự Khánh, and Trần Thừa.

In 1211, the emperor died, and Lý Sảm became the new emperor, Lý Huệ Tông. The Trần family's power in the government grew even more. After Trần Tự Khánh died in 1223, Trần Thừa became the highest military leader. Trần Thủ Độ, his cousin, took charge of the royal guards.

How Trần Thủ Độ Gained Power

Ending the Lý Dynasty

In October 1224, Emperor Lý Huệ Tông became mentally ill. He decided to give his throne to his youngest daughter, Princess Chiêu Thánh. She became Empress Regnant Lý Chiêu Hoàng. She was only six years old at the time. Because she was so young, all the important decisions were made by members of the Trần family.

Trần Thủ Độ then arranged for Empress Chiêu Hoàng to marry Trần Cảnh. Trần Cảnh was also six years old and was the son of Trần Thừa. Since Trần Cảnh was now the empress's husband, Trần Thủ Độ was able to make Empress Lý Chiêu Hoàng give up her throne to Trần Cảnh in 1225. Trần Cảnh then became the new emperor, Trần Thái Tông.

After his son became emperor, Trần Thừa acted as a regent, helping the young emperor rule. However, it was Trần Thủ Độ who became the Grand Chancellor. He made all the important military and government decisions. Emperor Trần Thái Tông even called him "Father of the Nation."

After the Lý dynasty ended, Trần Thủ Độ was worried that the new Trần dynasty might face challenges. To make sure the new dynasty was strong, he made some very difficult choices. For example, in 1226, he made the former emperor Lý Huệ Tông, who had already given up his power, end his own life. Trần Thủ Độ also married Lý Huệ Tông's former empress, Princess Thiên Cực Trần Thị Dung, who was also his cousin. Some historians later criticized these actions as harsh, but they were done to strengthen the new Trần dynasty.

Making the Trần Dynasty Strong

Emperor Trần Thái Tông was only eight years old when he became emperor. There were also several rebellions happening in Vietnam at that time. Trần Thủ Độ worked very hard to make sure the new emperor's rule was strong throughout the country. Soon after the emperor's coronation in 1226, two leaders, Nguyễn Nộn and Đoàn Thượng, started a revolt. Trần Thủ Độ used both military force and diplomacy to stop this rebellion by 1229. He even gave the rebel leaders the title of Prince to bring peace.

According to historical records, Emperor Thái Tông and his wife, Empress Chiêu Thánh, did not have a son for some time. This worried Trần Thủ Độ. In 1237, he made a controversial decision. He arranged for Trần Thái Tông to marry Princess Thuận Thiên. She was already married to Trần Liễu, the emperor's brother, and was three months pregnant with Trần Liễu's child. After this new marriage, Thuận Thiên became the new empress, and Chiêu Thánh was no longer empress.

Trần Liễu was very angry about losing his pregnant wife and started a rebellion against the royal family. Emperor Thái Tông felt very uncomfortable with the situation and even tried to become a monk. But Trần Thủ Độ convinced the emperor to return to the throne. Trần Liễu eventually surrendered because his forces were too weak. All the soldiers who joined the rebellion were killed. Trần Thủ Độ even wanted to execute Trần Liễu, but Emperor Thái Tông stopped him. Historians from that time often criticized Trần Thủ Độ's and Trần Thái Tông's decisions in this event.

In 1258, the Trần dynasty faced a huge challenge: the first Mongol invasion. At first, the Vietnamese army suffered some losses against the powerful Mongol forces. Some high-ranking officials were very scared. Prince Khâm Thiên Trần Nhật Hiệu, the emperor's younger brother, even suggested escaping to the Song Empire. When the worried emperor asked Trần Thủ Độ what they should do, the Grand Chancellor gave a famous answer:

As long as my head has not fallen down, Your Majesty please do not worry.

True to his word, the Trần dynasty fought back and successfully drove the Mongols out of Vietnam in 1258.

Trần Thủ Độ continued to serve the royal court until his death in January 1264. After he died, he was given the special title of Prince Trung Vũ.

Trần Thủ Độ's Impact and Legacy

Most historical accounts agree that Trần Thủ Độ was crucial for the start of the Trần dynasty. He was praised as a skilled and dedicated official. He held a very powerful position in the royal court. Some people even thought he had more power than the emperor.

Once, someone reported to the emperor that Trần Thủ Độ was too powerful. Emperor Thái Tông immediately went to Trần Thủ Độ's home with this person and made the person repeat everything in front of the Grand Chancellor. After hearing the story, Trần Thủ Độ agreed that the person had a point and even rewarded him for caring about the Trần dynasty. His successful leadership helped the early Trần period become stable and contributed to the victory against the first Mongol invasion.

Trần Thủ Độ was also known for being an honest official who did not use his high position for his family's gain. It is said that the emperor once wanted to appoint Trần Thủ Độ's older brother, Trần An Quốc, to a high position. Trần Thủ Độ politely refused, saying, "An Quốc is my brother. If he is better than me, then I should retire. But if Your Majesty thinks I am better, please do not appoint him to the same position. If we hold the same position, what will the royal court become?" Because of his dedication, the emperor himself wrote a special message for Trần Thủ Độ's tomb.

However, Trần Thủ Độ remains a debated figure in History of Vietnam. This is because of his tough decisions against the Lý royal family and his role in the controversial marriage of Emperor Trần Thái Tông. Modern historians still discuss his role in Vietnamese history. In 2008, a new street in Hanoi was named after Trần Thủ Độ, but this decision still has some people who disagree. Unlike his famous relatives like Trần Hưng Đạo, Trần Thủ Độ is worshipped in only one place in Hanoi, the Cầu Đông Pagoda.

Despite the debates, his life has inspired many artistic works. A 30-episode television movie called Trần Thủ Độ was made about his life. In theater, there have been several plays about him, like Rừng trúc (Bamboo Forest) and Anh hùng và mỹ nhân (The Hero and the Beauty). These plays often explore his difficult choices and inner feelings when he had to act harshly for the benefit of his own Trần family.

Family

Trần Thủ Độ had one wife, Lady Linh Từ Trần Thị Dung. She was given the title "Mother of the Nation." She was the daughter of Trần Lý, who was Trần Thủ Độ's uncle. She was also the former empress of Emperor Lý Huệ Tông. Lady Linh Từ played an important role in helping Emperor Trần Thái Tông and his brother Trần Liễu make peace. She also helped the royal family during the Mongol invasion.

Trần Thủ Độ's son, Trần Duyệt, and his grandson, Trần Văn Lộng, were both given the title of marquis. However, during the second Mongol invasion, Trần Văn Lộng, who was a high-ranking official, joined the side of the Yuan (Mongol) forces.