Beginning with the premature death of Lan Kham Deng, the period from 1428 to 1438 in Lan Xang was marked by a prolonged succession crisis created by rival court factions. Court chronicles disagree on the exact sequence of events, or even the exact reigns of the kings. It was during this period of confusion, allegedly orchestrated by the Maha Devi, which witnessed the deaths of seven successive monarchs: •
Phommathat (1428–1429) assassinated after 10 months •
Yukhon (1429–1430) assassinated after 8 months •
Khon Kham (1430–1432) assassinated after 18 months •
Kham Tam Sa (1432) assassinated after 5 months •
Lusai (1432–1433) assassinated after 6 months •
Khai Bua Ban (1433–1436) assassinated after 3 years •
Kham Keut (1436–1438) possibly poisoned after 2 years It is unclear exactly how many factions existed at court during this period. One faction included the old nobility of
Muang Sua who had opposed Fa Ngum when he consolidated his rule in 1354 and founded the kingdom of Lan Xang through military conquest. Another faction included the supporters of Fa Ngum during his conquests and subsequently rose to key administrative positions within the kingdom. Yet another faction included outside influencers from
Ayutthaya and
Lan Na, rival kingdoms which stood to gain from political weakness within Lan Xang. ==Biography==