Suriyothai
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| Suriyothai สุริโยทัย | |
|---|---|
| Queen of Ayutthaya | |
Suphannaphum Dynasty |
Suriyothai (Thai: สุริโยทัย, Thai pronunciation: [sùʔ.ríʔ.jōː.tʰāj], Suriyodaya; Burmese: သူရိယောဒယ) was a royal queen consort during the 16th century Ayutthaya period of Siam (now Thailand). She is famous for having given up her life in the defense of her husband, King Maha Chakkraphat, in a battle during the Burmese–Siamese War (1547–1549).
Name and title
Life
Suriyothai was married to Prince Tien when he was regent under King
Suriyothai was queen during the early part of the reign of King Maha Chakkraphat. In 1548
First Burmese invasion
The invasion initially met little resistance, as the Burmese force was too large for the small guard posts on the border.
Maha Chakkraphat left the capital with his forces to engage Tabinshwehti and test Burmese strength. On this occasion, he mounted his chief war elephant. Accompanying him were his Chief Queen, Sri Suriyothai, and one of their young daughters, Princess Boromdhilok, the two riding together on a smaller war elephant. Both royal ladies were dressed in male military attire (helmet and armour), with the queen wearing the uniform of an
Elephant battle and death
The Siamese army under Maha Chakkraphat soon met the advance column commanded by the Viceroy of Prome, and the two armies engaged in battle. The commanders of the two forces engaged in single elephant-combat, as was the custom of the time.[7] Maha Chakkraphat's elephant panicked and gave flight, charging away from the enemy, the viceroy giving chase. Fearing for the life of her husband, Queen Sri Suriyothai charged ahead to put her elephant between the king and the viceroy, thereby blocking his pursuit.[6][8] The viceroy then engaged the queen in single combat, fatally cleaving her from shoulder to heart with his halberd, also mortally wounding her daughter. Both mother and child met their deaths on the back of the same elephant.[8][9][10] It was said that the viceroy did not know he was fighting a woman until his blow struck. As she fell dying, her helmet came off, exposing her long hair. Burmese chronicles do not mention any instance of single combat (on elephant-back or otherwise) by the Viceroy of Prome.[note 1]
Prince Ramesuan and Prince Mahin then urged their elephants forward to fight the viceroy, and drove him and his remaining forces from the field, then carried the bodies of their mother and sister back to Ayutthaya. The Siamese king meanwhile rallied his army, and retreated in good order back towards the capital.[6][8]
Children
- Phra Ramesuan – Upparat, captured and ransomed in 1549, taken as prisoner in 1564, died as a commander of the Burmese army in 1564.
- Phra Mahin – later King Mahinthrathirat.
- Maha Thammaracha, later Queen Wisutkasat, mother of King Naresuan, King Ekathotsarot and Princess Suphankanlaya.
- Phra Boromdilok – died next to her mother in battle.
- Phra Thepkassatri – bride-to-be of King Setthathirath of Lan Xang, kidnapped and taken to Burma.
Legacy
A memorial
In 2001, a
In 2013
Notes
- ^ Burmese chronicles (Maha Yazawin Vol. 2 2006: 181–192) and (Hmannan Vol. 2 2003: 238–248) devote a detailed account of the invasion, down to the names of war elephants the high royalty rode on. Thado Dhamma Yaza rode the war elephant named Ye Htut Mingala (Hmannan Vol. 2 2033: 244). If he was victorious in combat against any enemy of significance, such a story with a favorable outcome would likely have been included in the chronicles.
References
- ^ Chakrabongse, C., 1960, Lords of Life, London: Alvin Redman Limited
- ^ Damrong Rajanubhab p. 15
- ^ Damrong Rajanubhab p. 17
- ^ a b c d Damrong Rajanubhab p. 18
- ^ Phayre p. 101
- ^ a b c Wood p. 113
- ^ Thaiways, "Elephant Duel: The Honorary Combat on Elephant Back" Archived 26 September 2013 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 6 February 2010
- ^ a b c Damrong Rajanubhab p. 19
- ^ Wood p. 112
- ^ Harvey p. 159
External links
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| Other | |
