The Clinkscales Clan was an old Grayson family closely attached to the Harrington Clan. As a reward for Howard Clinkscales' and his family's service to her, and since they had become like family to her, Honor Harrington, Steadholder Harrington, formally created the equivalent of a blood bond between her clan and the Clinkscales Clan, subordinating the Clinkscales to her family, but binding the Harringtons personally to the defense and protection of the other clan for all time. (HH11)