HRE in high

[Gilrandir]

It is 1235. I attacked Italians and captured Milan and Genoa. In fact I fought not a single battle against them - they always withdrew the reason being too slim garrisons in all their core provinces. Apparently the Doge got carried away by the image of a ramified empire he might have ruled. But you gotta have some troops along my borders if you start a war against me! Of course, I got excommed but it lasted only a couple of years. Then the Holy See was vacated through the death of the presiding genius and now I'm as faithful as I may be. In the war I received unexpected help from my allies - the Aragonese attacked Italians in Toulouse and the Pope - in Venice and Tuscany. Italians repulsed the Aragonese (lost a battle,were beseiged and then pop goes the loyalist revolt). But the Pope keeps the abovementioned provinces which does not make me happy at all. I had thought of capturing affluent Venice myself (and iron-rich Tuscany as well) and shortening the border. Well, that must wait for some lucky chance.
Drone, if you are interested: the Danish "did something"! They captured Sweden, but completely disregarding Denmark lost it to rebels and the Italians jumped at the opportunity and now their Doge has it as a permanent residence. So for the Danish "doing something" does not seem a good option. I'm not really satisfied with this development as my enemies have one more province to attack me from, but they stay there quiet in the castle after some rebellions and if they advance on Saxony it is going to be across a bridge anyway.
Meanwhile I'm still impecunious and grudge every florin I have to spend on other things then recruiting troops. All my ships (2 of them) were sunk by the Italians and I dare not produce more until I (hopefully) stop the war with them (I'm working on it).
The Pope wants me to and I'm willing to listen to him while I deal with the English. I advanced into Anjou and Brittany and the result of it will be known only in my next post.