The first mention of the Náchod region dates back to the mid-11th century, when Prince Vratislaus II of Bohemia organized the election of the Bishop of Prague in nearby Dobenín during his campaign in Silesia in 1068. In the 11th and 12th centuries, there was apparently a guard settlement near the Branka gate, on the site of today's Old Town. The castle itself and probably also the town of Náchod were founded by Hron of the Načeratic family in the mid-13th century. The castle was built on a trade route near the Czechia-Kladsko border and was therefore of great strategic importance. Hron's descendants held Náchod until 1321, when it was acquired by the Czech king John of Luxembourg and, from him, by Hynek of Dubá in 1325. The lords of Dubá held the estate until 1367. In 1414, Náchod was acquired by Boček of Kunštát and Poděbrady, and in 1427, after the death of his father Viktorín, it was inherited by the future Czech king Jiří of Poděbrady. During the Hussite Wars, the castle fell into the hands of the Hussites, and its garrison had to repel attacks from Catholic Silesia on more than one occasion. In 1437, the castle and town were conquered by the Hussite Jan Kolda of Žampach, who used it as a base for raids into Bohemia and Silesia. George of Poděbrady did not take possession of his rightful inheritance until 1456, when he conquered the castle.