Royal Castle at risk English Heritage has just published it's 2003 Buildings at Risk register. Many of the buildings it says are in danger are bridges, monuments, country houses or farms. Few of them are former royal residences. Our own Sheriff Hutton Castle is the exception. Sheriff Hutton Castle is sited in a village of the same name, about 13 miles north of York on a minor road off the A64. The castle, which is now in the grounds of a local farm, is a mere shadow of its former self. There are only a few turrets and the corners of the keep remaining. A noble pedigree Once it was a magnificent dwelling, of princely proportions,. A classic quadrangle, with a magnificent hall. Sheriff Hutton is so named because it was once held by Bertram de Bulmer, the Sheriff of York who died in 1166. It passed to the Neville family through marriage, and in 1382, John, Lord Neville, secured a license to crenellate the walls (making it a castle). In 1425, the Neville estates were partitioned. The younger son retained the title and the Durham estates and Richard Neville (the King-maker) inherited the Yorkshire estates, including Sheriff Hutton Castle.  | Extensive restoration work
(photo © English Heritage) |
On the death of Richard Neville at the Battle of Barnet, his lands were given to Richard, Duke of Gloucester, (later Richard III). In 1484 it became one of the two headquarters of the Council of the North (the other being at Sandal). During the 16th century, Henry VIII's illegitimate son, Henry Fitzroy lived at Sheriff Hutton under the care of Cardinal Wolsey. It remained crown property until the death of Charles I. The years haven't been kind to this great building, and although it's scale is still impressive, it has fallen to virtual ruin. It's been undergoing extensive repair, to try to save the fabric of the remaining buildings, and make the castle safe. . | 
Sheriff Hutton Castle belonged to the English Royal families of Plantagenet, Tudor and Stuart.
