Different tactics for the English

[caravel]

When dealing with the French it's important to remember that, Toulouse and Brittany are cut off so if you tackle these first the French will have difficulty in reinforcing them. I tend to start pushing out fyrdmen (VI only), hobilars and archers early on and concentrate mainly on economy. Once I'm strong enough I go for Toulouse followed by Brittany, then on to the rest of the french provinces. A common mistake is that some people go for Flanders inititially. The French can repeatedly launch recapture missions from Ille de France into Flanders then back door you from Brittany into Normandy, Anjou or Aquitaine, stretching your forces. The ideal first target for the French of course would be Anjou, cutting the English territory in half and uniting all of the French territory in one stroke. This is why you can't let this happen.

Navarre can be bribed and if you can also defeat Aragon in 1 sitting, you've got a very good southern border (the spanish will attempt to stab you in the back at some point).

[gaijinalways]

I took Flanders early, but it is the Germans who seem intent on taking Flanders. The French are pretty weak, now just in Britany and Anjou. I wanted to finish the French off, but the Pope warned me off, and I'm waiting for the warning time to finish. I am starting to build up, and possibly plan to disband my mercs after I finish ravaging Venice, unless the Italians beg to be punished some more . Switzerland is coming along and providing me good soldiers, and the xbowmen and royal knights are coming out of Burgandy and Tolouse. So, I'll keep building up reinforcements and soldiers, and ready for the crusades!

[gaijinalways]

Ah, have progressed further and angered the Polish and the Hungarians with some raiding, before returning my general to Venice which I decided to keep. I will need Trivola or Provance eventually to unite my territories, though my cash is after paying the 'leaving bonus' to my mercs!