The swordsman on the right is in Prime, the other gentleman is in Seconde.
Lines A and B denote versions of the guards with points low.
THE Fence of the Raper and Dagger takes, with regard to other arms of the period, a place similar to that occupied at the present time by that of the foil, being the most complete development of the various systems in which in auxiliary weapon was carried in the left hand; and undoubtedly a man fairly well skilled in it can master, with but little difficulty, the somewhat earlier exercises of "Sword and Buckler," "Sword (or dagger) and Cloak," and even the more puzzling "Case of Rapiers," in which a pair of swords, much of the type of those used in buckler-play, were caried, one in each hand.
The rapier, a long [late 16th century rapiers typically had blades of 42 to 48 inches] double-edged weapon, with ample "quillons" and "counterguards," which latter afterwards assumed the form of a cup [this is one place where Hutton is far more accurate than many modern enthusiasts, who willy-nilly adopt cup hilts that are inappropriate for the weapon by nearly a century.--bjm], was held in the right hand with the forefinger crossed over the "quillon." [Hutton describes the Renaissance "Italian" grip. The Spanish crossed two fingers over the quillon.] In early times the edges were undoubtedly used, but they were by degrees abandoned in favour of the swifter and more deadly point. In our revival of this practice, therefore, we shall adhere to pure point-play, and we shall reserve that of the edge for the sword and buckler, in which it plays the most important part. [Hutton's lessons are thus more typical of mid 17th-century rapier play. However, the figures he uses are actually typical of 16th-century rapier play. Alfieri--Hutton's source--copied his figures directly from Capo Ferra with only a few exceptions, merely updating the clothing.]
The dagger was held in the left hand, point upwards, with the thumb extended and resting in the spoon-shaped cavity in the forte of the blade. The dagger was used for parrying the thrusts of the sword, and was but sparingly employed in the attack. [Hutton neglects to mention that parrying daggers also had a ring or projection at a right angle to the quillons, used to protect the fingers of the left hand.]
The guards were four in number; they were simply positions of the sword from which attacks were made, and they were formed with either the right or the left foot advanced.
Prime--is the first position which the hand naturally assumes immediately after drawing the sword, the hilt being held above the head, the edge upwards, and the point towards the enemy.
Seconde--the hand is in pronation at the level of the shoulder, the arm being a good deal extended and the point level.
The swordsman on the right is in Prime, the other gentleman is in Seconde.
Lines A and B denote versions of the guards with points low.
Tierce--the hand is about as high as the waist, in pronation, with the point in line with the opponent's face, and the edge directed obliquely downwards towards the right.
Quarte--the hand is at the height of the waist, in supination, the point in line with the opponent's face.
The swordsman on the right is in Tierce, the other gentleman is in Quarte.
Lines A, B, C, and De denote high and low versions of the guards.
Alfieri introduced a medium guard, Guardia Mista, which assumed a middle position between tierce and Quarte.
[Lines A, B, C, and D denote high and low varieties of this guard.]
The thrusts were--
Imbrocatta--given from the Prime position above the enemy's dagger.
Stocata--under the [enemy's] dagger [upwards].
Punta riversa--an exaggerated form of Quarte thrust, given either outside the enemy's sword or between his weapons.
[Punta dritte--similar to punta riversa but delivered from tierce. I do not know why Hutton neglected this thrust.]
These attacks were delivered without moving the feet at all, or with a pass, or else with the "botta lunga" or lunge, as occasion might require. [Passes and lunges could be forward or to the side.]
[Although Hutton does not mention any cuts, the illustrations clearly show several cuts in use. A cut delivered at the opponent's left side was generally known as a mandritta, those at his right were called riversi. The technique of the cut depended upon an individual blade's architecture. Blades that were well-adapted for cutting, as found on so-called "sword-rapiers", could be used for a more straightforward hacking blow. More typically "rapier-ish" blades may have required that the edge be drawn or pushed into the target after "biting" with a sharp strike. Simply pushing the blade along a target without first hitting sharply would probably have had little effect.]
Move on to the next part of the chapter.