THIS exercise is considerably older than that of the long rapier and dagger, before which weapons it speedily vanished. [I've never been one to consider an 80 to 100-year period all that "speedy", myself.--bjm]
The Sword was a somewhat short one [Actually little shorter than a modern "Scottish basket-hilt" sword. It was "short" compared to the rapiers of the day.--bjm], and double edged. Cuts were given with either true ["knuckle" or "front"] or false edge, but the point was rarely used [this is contradicted by several extant manuscript, including a 13th century anon. Ms. in the Tower of London]; it was held, like the rapier, with the forefinger over the cross-guard [when the hilt offered protection for such a grip].
The Buckler, a small round shield, at the most some fourteen inches in diameter, was held in the left fist, and was not allowed in any way to rest on the arm [a round shield strapped to the arm was often called a "targe" or "target"]; and when it was furnished with a spike, the spke was used for stabbing at close quarters. [Some of the illustrations depict a different style of buckler. The "waves" of the square buckler can catch an opponent's tip on a thrust for a fraction of a second.]
The combatants engaged with the left foot forward and the buckler held in front of the body, with the arm extended but not stiff, while the sword hand must be kept closer to the body, and somewhat under the shelter of the buckler.
Marozzo gives twelve guards or positions of the sword for attack, which, when assumed consecutively, are known as "progressions". These movements are extremely picturesque [I did tell you that Hutton was a Victorian.--bjm], and should be performed at an "Assault of Arms previously to commencing the combat. When there are four combatants, A, B, C, and D, they should take their places at the four corners of the stage, A nd B occupying those nearest to he audience. [In Hutton's time it was common for fencing matches to take place upon a stage, a tradition that went back to the Maistres of Defense in the Renaissance.] At a signal from A, from whom they will take their time, they will step forth with the right foot, and advance towards the centere, A meeting D, and B meeting C.
At each step a guard is to be formed as laid down below; and when the four meet in the centre they will alute each one his opposite, by raising the sword-hilt in line with the mouth, and then extending the sword very high to the front, with the arm quite straight, so that all the points shall cross in the centre. After this they will lower their points, step back one pace, and at the same time give two beats on the buckler with the back of the sword, when A will engage B near the audience, and C will engage D farther back; and when this time is up the Marchal, or M.C., wil stop C and D first, and will proceed, acompanied by them, to stop A and B, on which all four will retire together. [This entire ceremony is most likely a piece of Victorian fancy.--bjm]