Norham Castle was a mighty stronghold located on a rocky bluff on the south bank of the River Tweed. Its location, just half the river's width away from the border between England and Scotland, earned it the title of "the most dangerous place in England". In 1291 Norham hosted Edward I in his role as arbitrator between the 13 competing claims for the Scottish Throne. The Wars of independence that followed saw Norham bypassed by invading Scots armies in 1311 and 1312 as too strong to attack. In 1318 Robert the Bruce besieged Norham for nearly a year, succeeding only in a temporary occupation of the outer ward. In 1319 the Scots besieged the castle, again unsuccessfully, for 7 months; and they tried and failed yet again in 1322. Norham Castle did fall to a Scottish attack in 1327, but following the Treaty of Northampton it was returned to the Bishop of Durham the following year.