[495] The next stage of his Itinerary is “Saint Alemand” (September 23–26), and the next after that (September 30, October 1) a place whose name is recorded only in a contracted form (“Bercer’,” _Rot. Pat._ vol. i. p. 167 b; “Berc’,” _Rot. Claus._ vol. i. p. 74 b) which can hardly represent anything else than “Berchères” or “Bercières” (Sir T. D. Hardy made it _Bercy_, but this is surely impossible). Saint Alemand is probably one of two places now called Saint-Amand, in the Angoumois. “Tiebauts de Biaumont qui sires estoit de _Bierchières_ [var. _Bercières_]” figures among the Aquitanian barons who besieged Savaric de Mauléon at Niort in 1205; _Hist. des Ducs de Normandie_, p. 102. I have failed to identify the place, but it was clearly in Aquitaine. [496] _Itin._ a. 8. [497] Rigord, c. 147; W. Armor. _Gesta P. A._ c. 139. [498] _Itin._ a. 8. [499] Ralf (of Lusignan), count of Eu, and Hugh, viscount of Châtelheraut, for Philip; Savaric de Mauléon and William of Chantemerle for John. [500] William des Roches, Maurice of Craon, William of Guerches, and Geoffrey of Ancenis. This promise seems to have been made by Philip in person. [501] See the truce in Duchesne, _Hist. Norm. Scriptt._ pp. 1061–2, and _Foedera_, vol. i. pt. i. p. 95. CHAPTER IV KING JOHN 1206–1210 Sed processu temporis mollities illa in tantam crudelitatem versa est, ut nulli praedecessorum suorum coaequari valeret, ut in sequentibus patebit. GERV. CANT. ii. 93. [Sidenote: 1205]