The castle was built by Bertram de Bulmer, Sheriff of York during the reign of King Stephen. The castle passed to the Neville family, and in 1377, John Neville, obtained a charter for a market on Monday and an annual fair on the eve of the exaltation of the Holy Cross (September 14). In 1382, John, Lord Neville, secured a license to crenellate the castle. The castle was passed to John's son, Ralph Neville, the first Earl of Westmoreland. Upon Ralph's death in 1425, the Neville estates were partitioned. The younger Ralph retained the title and the Durham estates and Richard Neville inherited the Yorkshire estates. Sheriff Hutton became the property of Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick.
Upon the death of Richard Neville ("the Kingmaker") at the Battle of Barnet, his lands were given to Richard, Duke of Gloucester. Richard often stayed at the castle during his tenure as Lord of the North. Its close proximity to York made it convenient to Richard.
By the middle of October 1480, Richard was at Sheriff Hutton where he received news from the Earl of Northumberland that the Scots might attempt retaliation for the raiding party that Richard led across the borders. Northumberland wrote to the magistrates of York ordering them to prepare an armed force. The men of York send an Alderman to Richard at Sheriff Hutton seeking his advice.
In 1484, Richard established a royal household for Edward, Earl
of Warwick, George of Clarence's son, and John, Earl of Lincoln. In
July of 1484, Richard established the Council of the North. Its chief
headquarters was at Sheriff Hutton and Sandal Castle. In 1485, while awaiting the invasion of Henry
Tudor at Nottingham, Richard sent his niece, Elizabeth of York to the
castle along with one or two of her sisters, the Earls of Warwick, Lincoln,
Lord Morley and John of Gloucester. The castle, along with Sandal Castle,
became the headquarters of the Council of the North. The Council lasted
for a century and a half. The castle became the property of Henry VII and
stayed in the hands of the crown until they were granted to Charles, Princes of
Wales, later known as Charles I. Today the castle is privately owned.
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