1. Overview
Lê Ý Tông (Lê Ý TôngLay Ee TongVietnamese, 黎懿宗; 29 March 1719 - 10 August 1759) was a nominal emperor of the Vietnamese Lê dynasty, reigning from 1735 to 1740. As the 26th emperor of the Later Lê dynasty and the 14th of the Restored Lê dynasty, his rule was largely symbolic, with true power residing in the hands of the Trịnh lords. Following his abdication, he became the last Thái thượng hoàng (Retired Emperor) in Vietnamese history, a status he held for 19 years until his death.
2. Life
Lê Ý Tông's life was marked by his position as a figurehead emperor under the dominant Trịnh lords, from his upbringing within the Trịnh family's influence to his enthronement, nominal reign, and eventual forced abdication.
2.1. Personal Background
Lê Ý Tông was born on 29 March 1719 (the 9th day of the 2nd lunar month in the 15th year of the Vĩnh Thịnh era). His birth name was Lê Duy ThậnLay Zoo-ee TunVietnamese (黎維祳), though he was also known as Lê Duy YLay Zoo-ee EeVietnamese (黎維禕). Some historical records, such as the Ngọc phả nhà Lê, refer to him as Lê Duy Chấn. He was the eleventh son of Emperor Lê Dụ Tông (黎裕宗). His mother was Cung phi Nguyễn Thị (恭妃阮氏), who was later posthumously honored as Hiến Từ Hoàng thái hậu (獻慈皇太后). Through his maternal aunt, Vũ Thị Ngọc Nguyên (武氏玉源), who was the principal consort of Trịnh Giang, Lê Ý Tông maintained a close connection to the powerful Trịnh family.
2.2. Childhood and Upbringing
Due to his familial ties, Lê Ý Tông was raised within the royal palace of the Trịnh lords. His upbringing was heavily influenced by Vũ Thị Ngọc Nguyên, Trịnh Giang's consort. She favored him and found him to be easily controlled, a characteristic that would later play a significant role in his ascension to the throne.
2.3. Accession to the Throne
In 1735, during the 4th year of the Long Đức era, Lê Ý Tông's elder brother, Emperor Lê Thuần Tông, passed away. The reigning Trịnh lord, Trịnh Giang, chose Lê Duy Thận to be the new emperor. This decision was influenced by Lê Duy Thận's perceived resemblance to Lê Thuần Tông and, more importantly, by his perceived pliability and ease of control, which made him a suitable figurehead for the Trịnh family's continued dominance. Upon his enthronement, Lê Duy Thận adopted the reign name Vĩnh HựuVing HuVietnamese (永祐).
2.4. Reign
Lê Ý Tông's reign lasted for six years, from 1735 to 1740. Throughout this period, his rule was entirely nominal, with all real political and administrative power concentrated in the hands of the Trịnh lords. His reign was characterized by the firm control exerted by the Trịnh family, particularly Trịnh Giang. During his time as emperor, his birthday was designated as Xuân Hòa Thánh Tiết (春和聖節).
| Emperor | Year | Western Calendar | Sexagenary Cycle | Reign Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lê Ý Tông | 1st Year | 1735 | Ất MãoUt MaoVietnamese (乙卯) | Vĩnh HựuVing HuVietnamese (永祐) 1st Year |
| 2nd Year | 1736 | Bính ThìnBing TinVietnamese (丙辰) | Vĩnh Hựu 2nd Year | |
| 3rd Year | 1737 | Đinh TỵDin TeeVietnamese (丁巳) | Vĩnh Hựu 3rd Year | |
| 4th Year | 1738 | Mậu NgọMow NgoVietnamese (戊午) | Vĩnh Hựu 4th Year | |
| 5th Year | 1739 | Kỷ MùiKee Moo-eeVietnamese (己未) | Vĩnh Hựu 5th Year | |
| 6th Year | 1740 | Canh ThânGan TunVietnamese (庚申) | Vĩnh Hựu 6th Year |
2.5. Abdication and Thái thượng hoàng
The political landscape shifted in January 1740 (the 6th year of the Vĩnh Hựu era). Trịnh Vương Thái phi Vũ Thị Ngọc Nguyên, along with Trịnh Doanh, orchestrated the removal of Trịnh Giang from power and enthroned Trịnh Doanh as the new Trịnh lord. Trịnh Doanh, seeking to restore legitimacy to the Lê dynasty, believed that Lê Duy Diêu (黎維祧), the eldest son of the deceased Emperor Lê Thuần Tông, was the rightful heir to the throne by birthright. Consequently, Trịnh Doanh demanded Lê Ý Tông's abdication.
On 21 May 1740 (the 21st day of the 5th lunar month, or 14 June in the Gregorian calendar), Lê Ý Tông formally abdicated in favor of his nephew, Lê Duy Diêu, who subsequently ascended the throne as Lê Hiển Tông. Following his abdication, Lê Ý Tông was elevated to the status of Thái thượng hoàng (太上皇), or Retired Emperor. His edict of abdication emphasized the importance of honoring the eldest son to strengthen the imperial lineage and regain the people's trust. As Thái thượng hoàng, he resided at Điện Càn ThọDyen Gan TawVietnamese (乾壽殿) and was granted resources equivalent to one-third of the emperor's official portion. He held the title of Thái thượng hoàng for 19 years.
3. Personal Life
Lê Ý Tông's personal life, particularly regarding his family, is documented through his known consorts and the notable absence of direct descendants.
3.1. Consorts and Descendants
Lê Ý Tông had several consorts during his lifetime. The known consorts include:
| No. | Title | Name | Birth/Death | Father | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tuyên Vũ Huy Hoàng hậuTwen Voo Hwee Hwung HowVietnamese (宣武徽皇后) | Trịnh Thị Ngọc DuChin Tee Ngok ZooVietnamese (鄭氏玉杜) | |||
| 2 | Đức Quý phiDuk Kwee FeeVietnamese (德貴妃) | Vũ ThịVoo TeeVietnamese (武氏) |
Despite his consorts, Lê Ý Tông had no children, a fact noted in historical records as "vô tự" (無嗣), meaning "without descendants."
4. Death
Lê Ý Tông died on 10 August 1759 (the 18th day of the intercalary 6th lunar month in the 20th year of the Cảnh Hưng era). He was 41 years old at the time of his death.
His remains were interred at Lăng Phù LêLang Foo LayVietnamese (扶黎陵), located on núi Trinh SơnNoo-ee Chin SonVietnamese (貞山) in thôn Nguyên SơnTon Ngwen SonVietnamese (元山), xã Thiệu NguyênSa Tee-ow NgwenVietnamese (紹原), huyện Thiệu HóaHwen Tee-ow HwaVietnamese (紹化), Thanh Hóa (清化) province. Posthumously, he was given the Miếu hiệuMee-ow Hee-owVietnamese (廟號) of Ý Tông (懿宗) and the extensive Thụy hiệuTwee Hee-owVietnamese (諡號) of Ôn Gia Trang Súc Khải Đệ Thông Mẫn Khoan Hồng Uyên Duệ Huy Hoàng Đế (溫嘉莊肅愷悌通敏寬洪淵睿徽皇帝).
5. Historical Evaluation and Legacy
Lê Ý Tông's reign is primarily viewed as a period during which the Lê dynasty's imperial authority was largely ceremonial, with the Trịnh lords holding effective control. His selection as emperor was a strategic move by Trịnh Giang to ensure a compliant ruler, and his subsequent forced abdication by Trịnh Doanh further underscored the Lê emperors' lack of real power. His tenure as emperor, though brief, highlights the political dynamics of the Trịnh-Lê period, where the Lê emperors were figureheads. His most significant legacy is perhaps his status as the last Thái thượng hoàng in Vietnamese history, marking the end of a unique imperial tradition within the context of the Lê dynasty's decline.