Clegane

Clegane is a noble family in the fictional world of Westeros in George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire and its television adaptation, Game of Thrones. The house is best known for its martial tradition and for producing two prominent knights, Gregor Clegane and Sandor Clegane. Historically, the Cleganes have been vassals of House Lannister and are said to hold lands in the Westerlands, though the specifics vary between sources.

Gregor Clegane, called the Mountain That Rides, is renowned for extreme strength and brutality. Sandor Clegane, known as the Hound, is his younger brother, a formidable fighter scarred by a childhood burn and known for a cynical, hard-edged code. The brothers are infamous for their willingness to use violence to achieve their aims, and their relationship is marked by rivalry and conflict even within the family.

In both the books and television, the Cleganes are central antagonists and power brokers in the politics of the realm, particularly in their service to House Lannister and their involvement in the wars of succession. Sandor's arc includes moments of reluctant heroism and occasional opposition to tyranny, while Gregor remains a symbol of brute force and fear. The pair's long history shapes the fates of several major characters and events.

The surname Clegane has become shorthand in the series for brutal, relentless knights, while also illustrating themes of trauma, loyalty, and redemption through Sandor's evolving characterization. The house, as depicted, shows how noble lineage does not always align with noble conduct.