The first knight of House Clegane was kennelmaster at Casterly Rock until one autumn year when he saved Lord Tytos Lannister from a lioness and lost a leg and three dogs in the effort. As a reward, Tytos gave him lands and a towerhouse and took his son as his squire. The three dogs on the Clegane sigil represent those that died saving Tytos.
The kennelmaster's son, the father of Gregor and Sandor, died in a hunting incident shortly after King Robert Baratheon was crowned. Their sister died young under uneventful circumstances. Gregor is known for his unspeakable cruelty; this is mirrored in his men, who casually commit atrocities during their campaigns. Sandor was driven away by this behavior, taking service with House Lannister and refusing to take a knight's vows to avoid association with his elder. |