concur same thing happened to me. Milan got excommed and then tried to attack bologna. I end up taking milan and venice before reconcilation took place with papacy.Originally Posted by Von Nanega
winning gambit I think is pope friendly and focus the early wars on the heathens
benefits in short are:
1) Chivalry +piety benefits for crusaders the pop explosion benfit is great!
2) papal kick backs in terms of cash and troop experience.
3) No need for focused heavy cav build because you'll get chapter houses quickly.
4) no excoms and few inquisitions v you. ( I lost 1 priest and 1 diplomat in all the time I have been playing.)
5) the catholics that do attack you usually get xcommed.
6) you'll own the papal college and be a pope maker for years.
Problems are:
1) uniting the italian penisula takes far lot longer since you are waiting for other italian factions to attack you.
2) moslems hate me ( all bar the moors have war decced me)
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