The House of Húrin or Hurinionath were the hereditary Stewards of Gondor, founded by Húrin of Emyn Arnen, Steward to King Minardil, the twenty-fifth King of Gondor. They were of high Númenórean blood, related to but not directly descended from the ruling House of Anárion. Due to the large percentage of pure Dúnedain ancestry possessed by these Stewards, the majority of them lived relatively long lives. After Húrin's time the kings chose their Stewards exclusively from his descendants and following Pelendur, the title became officially hereditary.
Although they originated as servants of the king, the Stewards rose in prominence until they ruled the kingdom whenever the king was unable. After the last King of Gondor died without an heir, the House of Húrin ruled Gondor for 969 years until Aragorn II Elessar from the House of Isildur again reclaimed the throne after the War of the Ring. The last Steward was Denethor II, who perished during the Siege of Gondor.
House of Húrin[]
References[]
- The History of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs of Elendil," pgs. 204-207, 221, 223