Chindaswinth

Chindasuinth
King of the Visigoths
Chindasuinth as portrayed, holding the law, in the tenth-century Codex Vigilanus.
Reign	642–653
Predecessor	Tulga
Successor	Recceswinth
Born	c. 563
Died	30 September 653
Burial	Monastery of San Román de Hornija
Wife	Recciberga
Religion	Christian (Nicene)

Chindasuinth (Also spelled Chindaswinth, Chindaswind, Chindasuinto, Chindasvindo, or Khindaswinth (Latin: Chintasvintus, Cindasvintus; Gothic: Kinþaswinþs; c. 563 – 30 September 653 AD) was Visigothic King of Hispania, from 642 until his death in 653. He succeeded Tulga, from whom he took the throne in a coup. He was elected by the nobles and anointed by the bishops 30 April 642.

Despite his great age (he was already 79 years old), a veteran of the Leovigild campaigns and the religious rebellions after conversions from Arianism were forced, his tyrannical and cruel character made the clergy and noblesse submit to him out of fear of execution and banishment. He cemented his control by preempting an alleged revolt: he executed at one time over 200 Goths of the most noble families and 500 more of the petty nobility. This in accompaniment with many banishments and confiscations of property. All this before any rebellion and without any investigation or trial or, for that matter, actual belief that a revolt was pending.

The Seventh Council of Toledo, held on 16 October 646, consented to and backed his actions, toughening the punishments applied to those who rose against the sovereign and extending them even to members of the clergy who supported them.

Smothering all opposition, he gave the realm a peace and order not before known. To continue with his legacy, he had his son Recceswinth, at the urging of Braulio of Zaragoza, crowned co-king on 20 January 649 and attempted to establish, as many had before, a hereditary monarchy. His associate-son was from this date until his death the true ruler of the Visigoths, in name of his father until 653, the date of the old man's passing.

Despite his implacable politics, Chindasuinth is recorded in religious journals as a great benefactor of the church, donating many lands and bestowing privileges. He improved the public estates with the confiscated goods of the dispossessed nobility and through improved taxation methods. In the military arena, he undertook campaigns against rebellious Basques and Lusitanians.