Despite his great age (he was already 79 years old and 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.

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 extended them even to members of the clergy.

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.

According to Edward Gibbon, during his reign, Muslim raiders began harassing Iberia: "As early as the time of Othman (644–656), their piratical squadrons had ravaged the coast of Andalusia".

Nevertheless, Eugene II, bishop of Toledo, provided a judgment on the life of this king by writing the following inscription: Chindasuinth was succeeded by his eldest son, Recceswinth, who continued his reforms.