I killed the pope.

[messin18]

So one of my own got elected pope and just a few turns later our relations sucked because I moved an army through one of their regions. I had 3-4 inquisitors just going around my entire area killing merchants and my leaders 1 by 1. I just couldn't take it anymore they just never left and just kept killing..

So I marched two giant armies to the Papal States capitol and attacked. I set my 2nd army to be controlled by AI and the battle started. The papal capitol had a full army outside and a full army inside. Of course my 2nd ai army bugged and sat on the outside of the map and never came in. So I was outmanned 2 to 1 and had to siege the castle.

Luckily I had the hill advantage over their papal re-enforcing army. I was able to form up and face them. I turned all of my cannons and archers on them and flanked my Calvary on both sides and knights down the middle. In a matter of minutes I had killed that army’s commander and the entire army was routed and fleeing into the castle. I just simply let my Calvary run them down and kill them all off. I then successfully killed every last sole inside the castle.

As soon as the battle was over and the pope was dead the inquisitors were gone from my region. A few turns later and a new pop I offered a 1 time payment for 100,000 gold in exchange for 2 regions, cease fire, and to get back into the church. Actually worked out well for me.

[LegioScythia]

First time i hear that attacking the pope works out for somebody.

[HRE_HeinrichV]

where the hell you you people get that kind of cash????

after like 100 turns, and controlling 40 provinces, im only making 12-15,000 a turn, which is not enough to maintain full construction.

my buddy cheated when he played, it was obsene how much money he had, but not one shred of honour. i wont go that route.

[Daveybaby]

after like 100 turns, and controlling 40 provinces, im only making 12-15,000 a turn, which is not enough to maintain full construction.

You should be making at least double that out of 40 provinces.

* Maybe you have too many castles - convert some in safe regions (i.e. in the centre of your empire) into cities.

* Max out your trade buildings, (i.e. markets, ports, merchants wharfs) and farms

* Get your merchants onto valuable trade resources pronto

No cheating required.

edit: heh, of course you may just have a very large and expensive army to maintain

[SadCat]

Very large and expensive army to maintain and on the other side of the world too. I have 3 major fronts and still the odd army popping up. SadCat

[messin18]

where the hell you you people get that kind of cash????

after like 100 turns, and controlling 40 provinces, im only making 12-15,000 a turn, which is not enough to maintain full construction.

my buddy cheated when he played, it was obsene how much money he had, but not one shred of honour. i wont go that route.

The first time i played the game i was broke.. then the black death hit and i was negative 20,000 and had to start over. I didn't' realize towns have free garrisons.

Second time around i only have about 4 castles and 30+ towns. Majority of my towns are full of free milita billman, archers, and Calvary. Brings in ALOT of money doing it this way. Then i just have a few large armies to expand my empire. I personally love taking the little island towns the ai doesn't seem to ever attack from boat.

[Gaius Terentius Varro]

It does now