I started my first campaign with the French on VH/VH, thinking it would be as easy as RTW's VH/VH or MTW's Expert (althought the latter depends heavily on the faction you choose).

I started by taking a few rebel cities and building up - Bordeaux, Dijon, Metz. I merried my princess to the English heir, they respected the alliance for a long time. The Milanese weren't as peaceful, tough, and decided to attack me. After a few battles (all wins) I took a province from them.

That's when I stopped winning the game.

They sent various armies in many directions, sieged Merseilles, Dijon, and the Holy Roman Empire, their allies, sieged Metz and the Switzerland province.

The English decided it was a good opportunity to fight me, as well. Turn 27: they sieged and conquered Paris. Yes, they conquered my capital.

I had to move the armies fighting against the Milanese to retake Paris, I broke the siege of Merseilles and Dijon, but the Germans took Metz and have huge armies coming at me. The Milanese are a bit more quiet right now, but will strike again soon.

When I thought things couldn't get worse, they did.

A Moorish ship appeared near Toulouse, and from the ship came a full stack, commanded by a decent general.

I'm on turn 30 right now, and, although battles are dumb and poor, as you will only lose if you are really outnumbered, the campaign AI is kicking my ass.

I recommend playing a VH/VH campaign, mine is being very challenging, I'll be very proud if I survive against all my enemies.