Playing for a mercantile empire

[Bartholemew-Varath]

I think my next campaign, I would like to build a mercantile empire. I would like to get some thoughts on how best to do that.
First, I was leaning going with Milan. Historically, they did establish a large mercantile presence. But as far as the game goes, I'm not sure if that should be my first choice.

If your thinking of building up a merchants empires, based on trade and money, then i would suggest scrapping the idea of playing as Milan. They will be constantly attacked by both HRE and Venice, and i dont think they will be able to pay off those two factions for peace. They do start off with a fair few good merchants though.... Its up to you

Second, I've played as Eng and Spain before. Everytime, my merchants start weak and are easily taken over. What's the best way to get my merchants strong quickly.

I would suggest reading some of the threads which detail what things you can do to get traits to increase your merchants skills. This may be difficult to do, but it is usually worth it in the end...

Thirdly, since I will be concentrating merchants and trade, what can I do to keep the rest of the nations from wanting to beat on me. I know the game is geared to go after the player, more than AI nations. In my previous games, with having to conquer territories and absorbing other factions, it ends up nobody really likes me. Countries like going to war with me and I can't get peace with them, no matter how much money I'm willing to pay.

If they constantly attack you, i suggest beating them back everytime, perhaps capturing a city in the process, then give it to them, along with some money, offer some other stuff, and they should accept. I would also consider allying with some of the factions that are unlikely to attack you, such as when i was playing as Venice, i was never attacked by the Byzantines, they just seemed to get along with what ever else was happening in the middle east. You might struggle to find some willingly peaceful factions, but when you do you should be comfortable for the moment...