How do you get anywhere in this game?

[Quickening]

Thanks very much. I have been doing what most of you suggest... I got rid of the Scotts and have the entire British Isles, I've had only one castle until recently where I captured another French one, I only have free upkeep units in settlements, I concentrate on economic developments in settlements (except where I need to increase order so I build a town hall or something), I have trade rights with everyone I can reach, and I'm on 1.1.

I haven't tried a crusade yet though, and I find assassins useless. I trained a couple of them right up early on but they just get killed even when their chances are up around 70%. Now I don't even bother.

I'll try and make peace with the French and concentrate on the Danes, but they'll probably just attack right away again.

I don't really want to give up, but I can't really go on like this. I mean what's the time limit on this game? It's going to be the 20th century before I win at this rate.

You get 225 turns. I always play short campaigns as I have no idea how people complete a long campaign in the time given. Im not the blitzing type.

Also, by the time a short campaign is drawing to a close, Im wanting to start again with a different faction.