I know from reading posts elsewhere that a lot of people get irritated by Inquisitors having the ability to summarily execute senior nobility and royalty.

This is historically inaccurate (the most senior figure ever executed thus was Jacques de Molay, Grand Master of the Templars, who wasn't royal and was killed for political reasons), irritating and, IMO, bad for gameplay. The choice is either to hide generals from Inquisitors, to spend time on mind-boggling micro-management to improve piety or to simply put up with your best-laid plans being ruined. All in all, a shame.

What would have been far better would have been an approach closer to historical accuracy. Rather than having the Pope excommunicate whole factions, he should have been able to put them under Interdict. All religious services were banned (this happened on a number of occasions, famously to King John of England) and interaction with the country involved was frowned upon.

This could be reflected in the game by having the entire faction temporarily lose all benefits from religious buildings, have loyalty take a hit and have trade rights cancelled. It would be a serious problem that would take some management to deal with. Historically, interdict led to rebellious generals and cities, a loss of trade and a drop in morale and this would be a great challenge for players.

Excommunication could be relegated to the position it should hold. It was very rarely actioned against entire populations, focusing rather on individuals. The Pope could excommunicate anyone anytime for certain gross offences; more typically, Inquisitors visiting a province might excommunicate the entire province, its governor and/or any resident generals.

Excommunication would depend upon the piety of the individual or the level of heresy in the region. Excommunicate regions would suffer the effects of excommunication but on a smaller scale. Excommunicate individuals would lose all benefits of piety, plus take a hit on command (they might even gain dread points if they're a repeat offender) - generals would lead demoralised armies or possibly face desertions (already in the game for crusader armies) and governors would struggle to maintain law and order.

If there have to be deaths, the Inquisitors could organise auto da fé for suitable retinue figures or simply announce "heretics have been found under your command". That happened. Generals did lose soldiers under their command to execution for heresy. But the generals themselves did not die - certainly not in the numbers they can do in the game.

OK, rant over. I realise it's too late to incorporate this approach in the game - but I had to get this off my chest!

Any thoughts?