To toss in my 2¢ worth, I'd say go Scotland. You will need to fight for about the first 10 turns to get rid of the English, but after that you can do what you please for about as long as you want.

The biggest advantage Scotland has is they don't have any continental entanglements until they wish them. So long as you stay to the islands, you won't be attacked. This lets you build up what ever you wish before you go for mainland territory.

Hey, 80 turns without being attacked says it works.