Origins & Early Life

Naresuan (1555/1556 – 25 April 1605), commonly known as Naresuan the Great, or Sanphet II was King of Ayutthaya from the Sukhothai dynasty from 1590 and overlord of Lan Na from 1602 until his death in 1605. Naresuan is one of Thailand's most revered monarchs as he is known for his campaigns to free Ayutthaya from the vassalage of the First Toungoo Empire. During his reign, numerous wars were fought against Taungoo Burma. Naresuan also welcomed the Dutch.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Prince Naret (Thai: พระนเรศ) was born in Phitsanulok in 1555–56. He was the son of King Mahathammarachathirat of Phitsanulok and his queen consort, Wisutkasat. His mother was a daughter of Maha Chakkraphat and queen consort Suriyothai. His father was a Sukhothai noble who had defeated Worawongsathirat in 1548 and put Maha Chakkraphat on the throne. Prince Naret, also known as the "Black Prince" (Thai: พระองค์ดำ), had a younger brother Ekathotsarot, known as the "White Prince", and an elder sister, Suphankanlaya.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

During the siege of Ayutthaya during the Burmese–Siamese War (1563–64), King Bayinnaung of the Toungoo dynasty of Bago, Burma (formerly known in Burmese as Hanthawaddy (ဟံသာဝတီ) and in Thai as Hongsawadi (หงสาวด...

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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• Kanō Eitoku — Historical peer (Died in 1590) (1590): Pioneering painter of the Kanō school during the Azuchi–Momoyama period.
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