SHERIFF HUTTON CASTLES

North Riding of Yorkshire

Sheriff Hutton has two Castles; the first a square motte in very poor condition was built by Sheriff Bertram de Bulmer during King Stephen's reign - and it is from him that the village (and Castles) takes its name.

John, Lord Neville obtained licence to crenellate in 1382 and built this Castle after the completion of Raby Castle in County Durham, which was the Neville seat of power.  John's son, Ralph, first Earl of Westmorland, rebelled against the King and paid for his rebellion with his life. His estate was then partitioned.  Ralph took the title and the Durham Estates, whilst his younger brother Richard, the Earl of Warwick took the Yorkshire Estates.  Richard 's son - also Richard - became "Warwick the Kingmaker" during the Wars of the Roses (see also Warwick and Middleham Castles).

When Warwick died at Barnet in 1471 his lands passed to Richard, Duke of Gloucester who later became Richard III.  All of these Richard's divided their time between Sheriff Hutton and Middleham and Richard III's son is buried in the Parish Church here.

The Castle was granted to Thomas Howard after the Battle of Flodden, but seems to have declined soon afterwards.

Today the Castle is a crumbling ruin, very much in need of attention, standing on farm land - private but easily visible from the road.

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2001