After getting tired of the Pope, the guilds and the nobles council all telling me what to, I decided to give Russia a try. I'm lovin' it. Nice secure flanks, (only played 40 turns so no mongols yet), I can ignore crusades totally, and Kazaks that are worth their weight in gold.

I built up a navy which came in handy when Poland declared war. I promptly crushed their navy and blockaded their ports. They quickly sued for peace.

Finally captured Kiev, so only Vilnus remains as a buffer with Poland.

I keep checking England every turn because it looks like the Rebels might win there, wierd.