Lê Thái Tông

Lê Thái Tông (黎太宗 22 December 1423—–28 August 1442) was an emperor of Vietnam from 1433 till his early death nine years later.

Biography

Lê Thái Tông was the second son of Lê Lợi. His mother died early but he was considered bright and capable by his father. When Lê Lợi became sick in 1433, he summoned his closest advisors (Lê Sát, Trịnh Khả, Pham Van Sao, Nguyễn Trãi, Tran Nguyen Han, and Le Ngan) to name Lê Thái Tông as his heir to the throne, at the time Lê Thái Tông was only ten years old. Upon Lê Lợi's death, the new regent was Lê Sát.

Lê Sát ruled Vietnam more for himself than for the young king. He eliminated many of his rivals by various means and tried to further solidify his powerbase within the government. Lê Thái Tông became increasingly unhappy with his regent's actions and sought support from rival factions. He struck an alliance with Trịnh Khả (who had been sent to a distant part of Vietnam). One of his first acts upon officially taking the throne in 1438 was to bring Trịnh Khả back and installed him as the head of the Palace Guards - against Lê Sát's strong objections. A few months later, Lê Sát was accused of lacking in virtue and usurping the power which belonged solely to the king. Trịnh Khả's guards arrested Lê Sát and he was found guilty and executed.