Lý Thánh Tông (19 March 1023 - 1 February 1072), personal name Lý Nhật Tôn , was the third emperor of the Lý dynasty.
Starting his career as the crown prince, Nhật Tôn soon proved his abilities to the royal court. His father, emperor Lý Thái Tông, had readily delegated important tasks to him. He led soldiers against rebels, he judged offenders and presided over the court in his father's absence.
In his reign, Lý Thánh Tông constructed numerous architectural structures in Thăng Long citadel, promoted the agricultural development, reducing some harsh laws and building many Confucianist and Buddhist institutions, most notably the first Temple of Literature in Vietnam (1072). He also fought several successful wars with Champa, resulting in the expansion of Vietnamese territory to the areas which are Quảng Bình Province and Quảng Trị Province today. Lý Thánh Tông incorporated both Sinic and Indic elements into his court. Chinese sources identify Lý Nhật Tôn as the Viet monarch that dared to claim imperial status, which for the Chinese was a direct challenge to their view of the world that prelude to the Song-Viet war in 1070s.
Early life Lý Nhật Tôn was the eldest son of the second emperor Lý Phật Mã and Queen Mai Thị. He was born on March 30, 1023, at Long Đức palace, during the last years of Lý Thái Tổ's era. According to historical records, Queen Mai Thị had a dream in which the Moon fell into her stomach, resulting in her pregnancy with Nhật Tôn.
Unlike his father and grandfather, he had not lived in the disturbed atmosphere of Hoa Lư. When Lý Thái Tông, was enthroned in April 1028, he appointed Nhật Tôn crown prince. Nhật Tôn came of age witnessing and participating in the exuberance of his father's reign. In 1033, he was conferred crown prince after his father ascended the throne as Prince Khai Hoàng (開皇王).
Domestic Just after succession in 3rd November 1054, Lý Nhật Tôn shortened the kingdom's name from Đại Cồ Việt to Đại Việt (literally "Great Viet"), initiating the most prosperous epoch throughout the history of Vietnam under that name. He named his era Long Thụy Thái Bình. The 6th year of Emperor Lý Thái Tông’s Sùng Hưng Đại Bảo era became the first year of the Long Thụy Thái Bình era. Around that time, he issued an edict ordering the burning and destruction of all the torture devices used by the Ministry of Justice, then allowed all the concubines serving in Thúy Hoa palace to leave the capital. Thánh Tông then began conferring titles on court officials. Phí Gia Hựu was conferred the title of Văn Minh Điện Đại Học Sĩ (Scholar of Văn Minh Palace), while several generals and military personnel were conferred titles in the royal guards. Lý Đạo Thành was appointed as Grand Preceptor and Quách Kinh Nhật was appointed as Chancellor (thái úy).
In January 1055, he ordered the renovation of the palaces inside the Imperial Citadel. In October this year, as winter brought severe cold, he said to the court officials: "Even though I'm staying in the palace, heated by coal made from the bones of predators and kept warm by a mink-fur coat, I still can't escape the serve cold. So how can the prisoners, who are shackled, suffer from hunger, lack enough clothing to cover themselves, and have not even been convicted, withstand such severe cold? I feel great pity for them all. Therefore, I order the Bureau to provide all prisoners with blankets and mats, along with two meals a day." The historians of Khâm Định Việt Sử Thông Giám Cương Mục sarcastically questioned what corresponding policies he had provided for the citizens instead of the prisoners. He then granted a half reduction in taxes throughout the realm. Around that time, he ordered the construction of Đông Lâm and Tĩnh Lự pagodas in Đông Cưu mountain.
In April 1056, he issued an edict to promote agriculture. He then ordered the construction of the Sùng Khánh Báo Thiên pagoda, and granted 12000 jin of copper for molding the large bells. He then wrote the essay to be carved on those bells. The royal court also hosted an event honoring the Arahant at Thiên An palace. In January 1057, he ordered the construction of the Đại Thắng Tự Thiên stupa, also known as Báo Thiên stupa, which had twelve stories and stood tens of zhàng in height. During the construction time in this year, a golden dragon flew from Quỳnh Lâm Garden to Trường Xuân palace. In October this year, while he traveled to survey Đại Bàng Estuary, a golden dragon suddenly appeared inside his boat. In December this year, he ordered the construction of Thiên Phúc and Thiên Thọ pagodas. He then ordered the construction of golden statues of Brahma (Phạn Vương) and Sakra (Đế Thích) to worship. In the spring of 1058, he ordered the renovation of the Tường Phù gate. By March, the renovation had been completed, along with the construction of an upper floor above the gate. Around that time, he ordered the construction of an octagonal palace named Khổn Thiên in the middle of Kim Minh pond. In May, a golden dragon flew from Long Đức palace to Vĩnh Thọ hall. In June, he ordered the construction of Linh Quang, Kiến Lễ, and Sùng Nghi palaces.
In March 1059, he went on a hunting trip along the Nam Bình river of Lạng Châu province, then paid a visit to his brother-in-law Thân Thiệu Thái, husband of Princess Bình Dương. In that same month, Đại Việt army launched a military campaign into Qinzhou of the Song, then withdrew. He then ordered the construction of Sùng Nghiêm Báo Quốc pagoda in Võ Ninh province. In June, a golden dragon appeared in Vĩnh Thọ palace. In that same month, named his era Chương Thánh Gia Khánh. The 5th year of Long Thụy Thái Bình became the first year of Chương Thánh Gia Khánh. In August, while working at Thủy Tinh palace, he ordered all palace officers who would approach him to wear contemporary Chinese-style headgear and footwear. The tradition of court officials wearing headgear and footwear in Đại Việt began at this time. In August, a golden dragon appeared in Trường Xuân palace. Around that time, he named a stupa in Đồ Sơn to Tường Long, then ordered the construction of Diên Hưng Thổ Hằng gate.
In early 1060, fearing that state secrets might be leaked, he ordered the royal guards of three divisions, along with the cooks and servants, to be barred from entering restricted areas of the palace, communicating with palace servants to obtain information, or exchanging any items with them. Violating this order carried the death penalty, even during periods of amnesty. In February, he went on an elephant-hunting expedition in Tây Nông province (present-day Bắc Kạn), and successfully captured three white elephants. In August, while he traveled to survey Giao Estuary, a golden dragon appeared inside his boat. Following that incident, he renamed this estuary to Thiên Phù. He then ordered to interpret the Champa songs, and learn their drumbeats. Đại Việt musicians then began performing them. During this time, he ordered the construction of the palace beside Dâm Đàm pond so that he could watch fishing as a form of entertainment. In February 1061, 12 young women were recruited as concubines for the royal court. At the same time, La Thuận province presented a white elephant to the royal court. After quelling the rebellion in the mountainous region of Sa Đãng, Thánh Tông went to Ba Sơn to pray for a son. A golden dragon appeared on the ritual platform. In early 1062, Gia Lâm district presented the royal court a monstrous turtle with 3 legs and 6 pupils in its eye. In September, people found gold leaf in Vũ Kiện cave and silver in Hạ Liên county.
In June 1063, he ordered the construction of Động Tiên palace to the East of the citadel. At the same time, the royal court was presented with a white turtle. Thánh Tông was 40 years old at the time. He then ordered the construction of another pagoda in Tiêu Sơn to pray for a son. People found pearls at the site and presented them to the royal court. According to a legend recorded in historical accounts, Tiêu Sơn pagoda was where the mother of former emperor Lý Công Uẩn once visited, met the demigod then copulated with him to give birth to Lý Công Uẩn. In December, Thánh Tông ordered the construction of Ngân Hà gate.
In 1063, at 40 years old and still without a son and having visited shrines and temples throughout the kingdom to pray for an heir, he traveled to the Pháp Vân pagoda, about thirty kilometers east of Thăng Long at the ancient site of Luy Lâu, where Shi Xie had governed at the turn of the third century. This was among the first Buddhist temples to be built in the Red River Delta. Thánh Tông found interest on a young girl named Ỷ Lan who ignored the king's hubbub while continued working on the mulberry farm, while other young ladies gathered around him. He then took her as queen and loved her dearly. Three years later she gave birth for prince Lý Càn Đức. Around that time, Thánh Tông sent a court servant named Nguyễn Bông to perform a ritual to pray for a child in Thánh Chúa pagoda (present-day in Dịch Vọng village, Từ Liêm district). The monk at that pagoda then taught Bông the art of reincarnation, which he subsequently practiced. Thánh Tông then discovered this and sentenced Bông to death, having him beheaded in front of the pagoda. After this incident, Ỷ Lan became pregnant.
In April 1064, Thánh Tông held a court at Thiên Khánh Palace. As his daughter, Princess Động Thiên, also followed him to assist him, he pointed to her then and said to the courtiers: "I love my daughter as much as I love my people. I feel sorry when ignorant people committed crimes. Therefore, from now on, please consider granting a pardon for crimes ranging from petty offenses to felonies." In May, the royal court began the construction of Bố Hải Khẩu royal residence. In February 1065, Thánh Tông travelled to Bố Hải Khẩu royal residence to personally plow the ceremonial field to encourage agriculture. In August, he inaugurated Thượng Lâm Garden. A golden dragon flew from Đại Minh palace to Hội Nguyên palace, then appeared in Bố Hải royal residence. That winter, another golden dragon appeared in Diêu Linh palace, then at Du Thiền, the royal upper chamber where Empress Ỷ Lan was staying.
On 25th January 1066, prince Lý Càn Đức was born. One day later, Càn Đức was appointed crown prince. Thánh Tông then renamed his era Long Chương Thiên Tự. The 8th year of Chương Thánh Gia Khánh became the first year of Long Chương Thiên Tự. In March, a golden dragon appeared in the crown prince palace. In September, Thánh Tông granted a cancellation of the high taxes. During this time, he ordered general Quách Mãn to construct a tower on Tiên Du mountain. Merchants from Indonesia presented glowing jade to the royal court and were bestowed 10000 quan (貫, strings of cash) by the court. In November, he married off his daughter, Princess Thiên Thành to Thân Đạo Nguyên, son of his younger sister, Princess Bình Dương, making the couple first cousins.
In 1067, Ngụy Trọng Hòa and Đặng Thể Tư were appointed royal legal officials to serve in the Protectorate. The Protectorate was initially a prefectural office established to govern the whole Jiaozhi during the Tang dynasty, in the Third Era of Northern Domination. From the Đinh to Lý dynasty, the Protectorate was retained, but its role was limited to carrying out law enforcement. Junior royal servants, scribes (thư gia), ten of whom were promoted to law officers. Trọng Hòa and Thể Tư received a monthly salary of 50 quan, 200 sheaves of rice, and with fermented fishes. The law officers received a salary of 20 quan and 100 sheaves of rice. Thánh Tông believed that these benefits could help curb bribery among the royal servants. This marked the very first time in the Lý dynasty that the law officers received a regular salary. Before this event, court officials, including law officers, didn't receive a monthly salary. Their income came solely from the royal reward.