11 Facts About Chindasuinth

Chindasuinth was Visigothic King of Hispania, from 642 until his death in 653.

Chindasuinth succeeded Tulga, from whom he took the throne in a coup.

Chindasuinth cemented his control by preempting an alleged revolt: in a short period of time he executed over 200 Goths of the most noble families and 500 more from the petty nobility.

Chindasuinth's associate-son was thenceforth the true ruler of the Visigoths, presiding in the name of his father until 653, the year of Chindasuinth's passing.

Notwithstanding the vigorous and martial nature of his political activities, Chindasuinth is recorded in religious annals as a great benefactor of the church, donating many lands and bestowing privileges upon clerics.

Chindasuinth improved public estates with the confiscated goods of the dispossessed nobility as well as through improved taxation methods.

Chindasuinth reversed the anti-Jewish laws of his predecessor, Tulga, and put a stop to policies forcing Jewish people to convert to Christianity or emigrate.

Chindasuinth spent the last years of his life, as so many mediaeval monarchs did, in acts of piety for the sake of his immortal soul.

Chindasuinth commissioned St Fructuosus to build the monastery of San Roman de Hornija on the Douro, with the intention of having it house his tomb.

Chindasuinth's remains rest there next to those of his wife, Riciberga.

Chindasuinth was succeeded by his eldest son, Recceswinth, who continued his reforms.