Hi phreadom,
I made a quick search on YouTube.
I couldn't find the EP1 though, it seems there are three reasons.
Both of your guesses are right.
1) Archaic language, obviously.
2) Many characters use extremely polite language because Yoshitsune, the
lead character, is General. (In that era, it means he is a king)
3) Some characters were using a dialect from Western Japan in an episode I watched.
If you give me a link to EP1 on the net, I could make some dictation as an example for you, if you want.
