I'm playing on Hard from the Early Era. I'm not sure what the deal is.

I think being France invites that somewhat. You've got England to the north, west, and in the middle when you start. You've got HRE to the east. You've got Aragon to the south, and once they're destroyed, its only a matter of time before Spain or the Almohads (whichever one wins that war) attacks you. You've also got Italy to the south east if they defeat the Germans in that region. Finally, you've got the Crusades, which never make you popular with the Islamic factions.

But I've never faced seven at one time before. It's odd.