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Who is the longest-reigning monarch in Vietnamese history without an heir?

Lý Nhân Tông is renowned in history as the monarch holding the most reigns among the rulers of Vietnam.

9 March, 2024

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Lý Nhân Tông (1066 – 1127), whose real name is Lý Càn Đức, was the only son of King Lý Thánh Tông and Lady Ỷ Lan. After his father’s death, Lý Nhân Tông ascended the throne at the age of 6, becoming the 4th king of the Lý dynasty.

Throughout his 55-year reign, Lý Nhân Tông always paid attention to culture, education, and honored talented people, especially virtuous Buddhist monks. He also initiated the organization of the Tam Trường examination and established the Quốc tử giám – the first national university in Vietnam.

In addition, King Lý Nhân Tông also emphasized agricultural production and administrative reforms. Not only that, he strictly prohibited the killing of cattle and actively built dykes to prevent floods, most notably the Cơ Xá dyke, which marked the beginning of dyke construction in Vietnam.

In 1086, he decided to divide the administrative system into 9 levels. After his 55-year reign (1072 – 1127), Lý Nhân Tông was considered one of the most successful rulers in the history of Vietnam, turning Đại Việt into a powerful nation in the region.

Earliest coronation of a queen

Conventionally, whether it is a king or commoner, the matter of establishing a royal family is usually considered at the age of 16. However, for emperors, this is a very important matter. The women chosen for the court must meet many conditions, and the one chosen to be the queen or noble consort must surpass others in virtue and talent.

Little-known fact, Lý Nhân Tông was the earliest emperor to establish a queen in history. In the lunar month of Nhâm Tý (1072), after the death of his father, King Lý Thánh Tông, he was acclaimed emperor at the age of 6. Interestingly, one of the first things Lý Nhân Tông did after ascending the throne was to get married.

The official historical records do not mention the recruitment of beauties into the palace in the year of Nhâm Tý (1072), only the abbreviated Dai Viet Chronicles states that at the end of that year, Lý Nhân Tông “established two queens”.

It’s unclear whether these two girls came from the common folk or were the descendants of the great dignitaries at court. However, in terms of history, Lý Nhân Tông was the emperor who married the earliest and established two queens at once, making him the earliest emperor to establish queens.

11 years on the throne and still no male heir

Despite his long reign, Lý Nhân Tông did not have a male heir to pass on the throne. In order for Đại Việt to continue to thrive and prosper, he decided to adopt a grandchild named Lý Dương Hoán (later known as Lý Thần Tông) and declared him as the crown prince.

After 11 years on the throne, Lý Thần Tông passed away, leaving behind only one biological daughter named Diên Bình công chúa. The comprehensive Dai Viet Chronicles recorded that: “In the year 1117, the king issued a decree within the royal family, stating: ‘I have ruled over the people for a long time, but I do not have a male heir. Who will the precious throne of the world be passed on to? Therefore, I will adopt the sons of the Sùng Hiền, Thành Khánh, Thành Quảng, Thành Chiêu, and Thành Hưng families. I will choose the most talented one to be the crown prince.’ At that time, the son of Sùng Hiền, Lý Dương Hoán, was only 2 years old but already showed great intelligence. Nhân Tông loved him very much and appointed him as the Crown Prince.”

Frequently asked questions

During his 55-year reign, Lý Nhân Tông focused on promoting culture and education, honoring talented individuals, and supporting Buddhist monks. He organized the Tam Trường examination and established the Quốc tử giám, Vietnam’s first national university. He also emphasized agricultural production and administrative reforms, prohibited cattle killing, and built dikes to prevent floods. One of his notable contributions was the construction of the Cơ Xá dyke, which marked the beginning of dyke building in Vietnam.

Lý Nhân Tông is known for being the earliest emperor in history to establish a queen. After ascending the throne at the age of six, one of his first actions was to get married. Historical records indicate that at the end of the year 1072, he “established two queens,” though their identities remain unclear.

Despite his long reign, Lý Nhân Tông did not have a male heir. To ensure the continuity of the kingdom, he adopted a grandchild, Lý Dương Hoán (later known as Lý Thần Tông), and declared him the crown prince. Lý Thần Tông ascended the throne at the age of eleven, but unfortunately, he also did not have a male heir and only had a biological daughter named Diên Bình công chúa.