Spontaneous Productivity

Two paragraphs. I suppose I should throw myself a party for writing something. It's kind of pathetic and then are many words crossed out, but I have two paragraphs! I haven't written anything in at least two months. That's about how long I've been regularly pondering on this story which I started last June---or wait, it was before June. I started it last year some time. The beginning is completely different. I don't even know if I want this beginning to start. *laughs* And I really need to do my research. I keep on writing scenes which take place during the Crusades. My knowledge of the Crusades is pretty slim, too, so I'm just winging it.

What I need to know about primarily is:

1. language of the time (what the heck does language after the Norman Invansion sound like. I'm envisioning this English mixed with a bit of French, but I think that's somewhat off)

2. How did people dress? Not just knights, but people. What were people wearing around the 1100s?

3. Fighting styles, how were people fighting? I love swords but I only know so much.

So until I have my specifics, I'm just faking it. :)