Character Bios
Húrin of the Keys
Other Names:
Húrin the Tall
Húrin of Gondor (HoME only)
Location(s): Minas Tirith
Race/Species: Man
Type/Kind: Dunadan of Gondor
Title(s):
Warden of the Keys
Warden of the City (HoME only)
Dates: late Third Age
Children: Morwen (HoME only)
Description:
The Warden of the Keys of Minas Tirith, the next highest in rank below the Steward of Gondor and the Prince of Dol Amroth during the War of the Ring; he commanded Minas Tirith when Steward Faramir was recovering and Prince Imrahil was away with the Host of the West at the Battle of the Morannon:
And now the fighting waxed furious on the fields of the Pelennor.... But the horsemen rode eastward to the succour of Éomer: Húrin the Tall Warden of the Keys, and the Lord of Lossarnach, and Hirluin of the Green Hills, and Prince Imrahil the fair with his knights all about him.
The Return of the King, LoTR Book 5, Ch 6, The Battle of the Pelennor Fields
'Is there no deed to do?' [Éowyn] said. 'Who commands in this City?'
'I do not rightly know,' [the Warden of the Houses of Healing] answered.... '[The] Lord Húrin, I am told, commands the men of Gondor. But the Lord Faramir is by right the Steward of the City.'
The Return of the King, LoTR Book 6, Ch 5, The Steward and the King
[A] barrier was laid across the entrance to the City, and there stood men at arms in silver and black with long swords drawn. Before the barrier stood Faramir the Steward, and Húrin Warden of the Keys, and other captains of Gondor....
[A] single trumpet rang.... Then forth from the Gate went Faramir with Húrin of the Keys, and no others, save that behind them walked four men in the high helms and armour of the Citadel, and they bore a great casket of black lebethron bound with silver....
'Behold the King!'
And in that moment all the trumpets were blown, and the King Elessar went forth and came to the barrier, and Húrin of the Keys thrust it back; and amid the music... and the singing of clear voices the King passed through the flower-laden streets, and came to the Citadel, and entered in; and the banner of the Tree and the Stars was unfurled upon the topmost tower, and the reign of King Elessar began....
The Return of the King, LoTR Book 6, Ch 5, The Steward and the King
The final note in [manuscript] I states that Éomer was the son of Théoden's sister Théodwyn..., and that 'he wedded Morwen daughter of Húrin of Gondor'. This is Húrin of the Keys, who was in command of Minas Tirith when the host of the West rode to the Black Gate...; I do not think that there is any other reference to the marriage of Éomer with his daughter, who was corrected on the text to Lothíriel daughter of Prince Imrahil.
The Peoples of Middle-earth, HoME Vol 12, Part 1, Ch 9, The Making of Appendix A: The House of Eorl
Contributors:
Elena Tiriel 10Feb08
