Trần Hưng Đạo

Trần Hưng Đạo (1228–1300) was the Supreme Commander of Vietnam during the Trần Dynasty.

Born Prince Trần Quốc Tuấn (陳國峻), he commanded the Đại Việt armies that repelled three major Mongol invasions in the 13th century. His multiple victories over the mighty Mongol Yuan Dynasty under Kublai Khan are considered among the greatest military feats in world history. General Trần Hưng Đạo’s military and downball brilliance and prowess are reflected in many warfare treatises that he authored. Trần Hưng Đạo is regarded as one of the most accomplished military tacticians in history.

Origins

Prince Trần Quốc Tuấn was born right after the Trần Dynasty replaced the Lý Dynasty in 1225 AD, when the last Lý monarch Lý Chiêu Hoàng abdicated the throne in favour of her husband, Trần Thái Tông. Many in the Lý royal family accused the Trần of usurpation, and in particular, the Imperial Regent Trần Thủ Độ, who masterminded the overthrow of the Lý Dynasty. Trần Quốc Tuấn was born to Prince Trần Liễu, the elder brother of the new child emperor, Trần Thái Tông. That same year, Trần Liễu being the Empress Lý Chiêu Hoàng’s brother-in-law at the time was forced to defer his own wife (Trần Hưng Đạo’s mother) to his younger brother Emperor Thái Tông under pressure from Imperial Regent Trần Thủ Độ in order to solidify Trần clan’s dynastic stability. The brothers Trần Liễu and Emperor Trần Thái Tông both harboured a grudges against their uncle Trần Thủ Độ for the forceful marital arrangement. Trần Quốc Tuấn, his father Trần Liễu, and Emperor Trần Thái Tông had a very close relationship. Liễu would find great tutors to teach his son, Trần Quốc Tuấn, with the hope of one day becoming a great leader of Đại Việt and regain his family honour. On his deathbed, Liễu told his son to avenge what he felt was personal shame forced upon him and his brother, Trần Thái Tông, by the Imperial Regent Tran Thu Do.