Indeed it is a part of the gaming experience to have unhistorically correct emerging superpowers. (This is one of the parts were you could claim the map had already gotten to large.) In order to challenge you as *the player* there should be someone at equal strengh at all stages. That is, when you're small, there should be small kingdoms to counquer, when you're big so will the Spanish, French, Rus ect.

I've found that theres usually splenty of room for the turtler to cope with big kingdoms, but the effect is kind of "hardcoded" into the gameplay. Ruining the fun for those who aim for a pletora of minor powers all through the game to be sure.

/KotR