Quote Originally Posted by Duke John
No, I read somewhere that castles would give you an advantage early on (providing feudal troops) but later on cities provide more powerfull troops (gunpowder units, militia?).
What you are describing are the consequences of makig these strategic choices. Develope too many "castle" provinces and suffer in the later game, too many "city" provinces and you might not make it to the later game.

Of course this all really guess work at the moment..