# Gabriel Varden — Barnaby Rudge character guide > Gabriel Varden in Barnaby Rudge by Charles Dickens. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Varden, Gabriel, honest Gabriel, Mr. Varden **First appearance:** 0002-chapter-1 ## Snapshot A sturdy, good-humoured London locksmith whose honest trade and unshakeable decency make him the moral anchor of a city sliding toward riot. ## Who they are Gabriel Varden keeps his shop, his apprentice Sim Tappertit, and his peace of mind with the same patient craftsmanship he brings to a lock. His chief domestic trial is his wife Martha, whose capricious temper and self-important servant Miggs keep the household in a state of comic weather. Because he is trusted by Catholics and Protestants alike, he becomes a rare point of contact between the novel's feuding households — and a man whose plain goodness the coming violence will test. ## Relationships ### [Sir John Chester](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/characters/sir_john_chester) _social_ Gabriel is a respectable locksmith who interacts with Chester socially, but they are not close and Gabriel distrusts him. ### [Miss Miggs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/characters/miss_miggs) _professional_ Miggs is the Varden family's maid, and Gabriel is her employer, though she often complains and manipulates him. ### [Joe Willet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/characters/joe_willet) _friendship_ Gabriel is a kind and fatherly figure to Joe, offering him advice and support, and they share a warm bond. ### [Sir John Chester](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/characters/sir_john_chester) _social_ Gabriel is a respectable locksmith who interacts with Chester socially, but they are not close and Gabriel distrusts him. ### [Sir John Chester](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/characters/sir_john_chester) _social_ Gabriel is a respectable locksmith who interacts with Chester socially, but they are not close and Gabriel distrusts him. ### [Miss Miggs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/characters/miss_miggs) _professional_ Miggs is the Varden family's maid, and Gabriel is her employer, though she often complains and manipulates him. ### [Joe Willet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/characters/joe_willet) _friendship_ Gabriel is a kind and fatherly figure to Joe, offering him advice and support, and they share a warm bond. ### [Joe Willet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/characters/joe_willet) _friendship_ Gabriel is a kind and fatherly figure to Joe, offering him advice and support, and they share a warm bond. ### [Miss Miggs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/characters/miss_miggs) _professional_ Miggs is the Varden family's maid, and Gabriel is her employer, though she often complains and manipulates him. ## In the story ### [Chapter 2](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-2) Encounter with the stranger on the road; threatened with death, then decides to stop at the Maypole for a light. ### [Chapter 3](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-3) The locksmith, who finds the wounded man and later advises Joe Willet, while planning how to justify his visit to the Maypole to his wife. ### [Chapter 4: The Locksmith's Household](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-4) The locksmith, good-natured and jovial, recounts his adventure at the masquerade and expresses concern for Joe Willet. ### [Chapter 5](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-5) Visits the widow's house to check on the patient, shows concern for Barnaby, and attempts to chase the mysterious man. ### [Chapter 6](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-6) The locksmith, troubled by suspicions about Mrs. Rudge and the mysterious events. ### [Chapter 7](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-7) Returns home tired, tries to appease his wife, and later sleeps while Sim Tappertit sneaks out. ### [Chapter 9](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-9) The locksmith, whose workshop Simon has secretly made a key to. ### [Chapter 13](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-13) Welcomes Joe warmly, advises him to give the flowers to Mrs. Varden instead of Dolly, and tries to keep the peace during tea. ### [Chapter 19](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-19) Accompanies his wife and daughter to the Maypole, and eventually gives in to his wife's demands. ### [Chapter 26](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-26) Reveals his suspicion of Mrs. Rudge's involvement with a highwayman, and accompanies Haredale to her house. ### [Chapter 27](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-27) Asked by Mr. Haredale to remain for a private conversation after Mr. Chester leaves. ### [Chapter 41](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-41) The locksmith, who tries to keep peace at home, reflects on Joe Willet and inadvertently causes Dolly to cry. ### [Chapter 42](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-42) Perplexed and concerned, he accompanies Haredale to the abandoned house, noting his haggard appearance and the eerie atmosphere. ### [Chapter 51](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-51) Waits up anxiously, confronts Simon, destroys the protective paper, and resolves to face the rioters with defiance. ### [Chapter 63](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-63) Defies the mob from his window, threatens them, and is eventually seized and taken to Newgate. ### [Chapter 64](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-64) Forced to accompany the mob, but bravely refuses to pick the prison lock, declaring his duty. ### [Chapter 71](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-71) The locksmith, who along with his wife, participates in the rescue of the imprisoned women. ### [Chapter 72](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-72) Comforts Dolly, assuring her they are safe and will not be separated again. ### [Chapter 74](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-74) Testifies against Dennis, contributing to his commitment for trial. ### [Chapter 75](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-75) Visits Sir John to reveal the truth about Hugh's birth and the hangman's confession. ### [Chapter 76](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-76) Reflects on his failed petitions and his deep love for Barnaby, feeling helpless as the execution approaches. ### [Chapter 79](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-79) The locksmith who led the successful effort to secure Barnaby's pardon, bringing him home in triumph and celebrating with the crowd. ### [Chapter 80](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-80) The locksmith is in a cheerful mood, enjoying the company of his family and the happiness of Dolly and Joe. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/characters/gabriel_varden - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/characters