abstract | - Trịnh Tráng was the eldest son of Trịnh Tùng. He took power after a brief succession struggle at the time of Trịnh Tùng's death. The main problem he faced during his rule was the power and independence of the Nguyễn lords who ruled the southern-most provinces of Vietnam. In modern terms the Nguyễn ruled over Thừa Thiên–Huế Province, Da Nang, Quảng Nam Province, and Quảng Ngãi Province. This was the frontier of Vietnam and, as these provinces were newly conquered from the Champa, there was new land to farm and plenty of work for ambitious men. In 1600, the first Nguyễn Lord, Nguyễn Hoàng, refused to acknowledge the authority of the Trịnh-dominated court in Hanoi. With the death of Trịnh Tùng, the current Nguyễn Lord, Nguyễn Phúc Nguyên refused to send any taxes or soldiers to the court. After years of rising tension, Trịnh Tráng went to war against the Nguyễn. Main article: Trịnh–Nguyễn War
|