Stephen Hand's book on George Silver

Silver's work, besides its complete description of English small sword fighting and weapons fighting in general, was originally a reactionary against the rapier thrust fencing.So, why don't you check it against a lunge fencer? Is is it possible to defend against a lunge thrust.What I think is one should cover the options of thrusting before the actual commencing of the lunge thrust itself and strike him using the "time of hand" which he will find it difficult to parry as he is in variable fight position(his space too wide).

That's why the guardant fight seems to be most effective against the lunge type fighter than the open fight which Silver seems to suggest against the rapier fencing.

Generally, can a lunge step thrust can be parried say at a 3 feet distance and what is the least distance that a lunge step thrust comes close to the speed of the "time of hand" and or in other terms can not be parried.

Are these factors must be kept under consideration while fighting especially against a rapier fencing? and Was these factors known to George Silver? i.e did Silver know about the lunge step? if yes,then why did he suggested open fight instead of the guardant fight against the variable fight.Also it is generally said that ,at his time the lunge step was a closely guarded secret of Italian fencing.

IMHO, Not standing immobile in front of the opponent especially at a lunging distance 'cause lunge fencers need some one to stand stationary against them to get their lunge going and if someone uses angels and covers their lunge options using guardant.