I agree with Tristan's points in his post above.
I realise now I should have not recruited at all, which means there would have been no siege for the Germans to conduct. Tristan's solution is the best "current" save solution.
The land allocation is also how I've been reading it and dealing with construction and recruitment, except of course Staufen.
I'd prefer us to have the player avatar lead the attack, therefore limiting us in some fashion.
@ Tristan, I am glad you were frank about the situation.
I might not agree with it, but certainly confirming you can pull if off without the pause button on occasion makes things a little more palatable.
I'd just prefer you didn't use the pause button at all to conduct this tactic.
-EDIT-
I wont get to the save until Friday early evening Swiss time so there will be some time for reorganising the save for everyone.
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