When I crusade like an insane zealot, I often get high chivalry. I try to get as many generals as possible 10 chivalry. Which is possible if you have a general with at least 1 or 2 starting chivalry, go on a crusade with that general and leave/join/leave until you get +5 chivalry (version 1.0 exploit), and then capture the crusade target with that general. (Ancillaries +2 chivalry, grand crusader + chivalry, etc).

Of course, that is the cheap and exploitative way to get 10 chivalry. I've noticed it is possible to do so and still have traits involving the ruthless slaughter of little children, sacking and pillaging cities, exterminating entire populations, and something about torturing prisoners and then feeding them to their captured leaders, chunk by bloody chunk, etc.

Flesh is burning, da na na na na na
Flesh is burning, da na na na na na
Flesh is burning, da na na na na na
Flesh is burning, da na na na na na
Flesh is burning, da na na na na na
Flesh is burning, da na na na na na
Flesh is burning, da na na na na na
Flesh is burning, da na na na na na
Flesh is burning, da na na na na na
Flesh is burning, da na na na na na
Flesh is burning, da na na na na na
Flesh is burning, da na na na na na
(repeat ad infinitum)

Sorry, just got lost in the moment there for a second.
MMmmmm.... nonsequitur.

Yes, I agree with you about how focusing on economy and general traits feels more like the Sims and Simcity than a blood n guts medieval war game.

"Hey guys, this morning I finally got my third lieutenant general up to the level of decent administrator! Tomorrow, I am going for the gold...
ABOVE AVERAGE ADMINISTRATOR"!!!
cuts to dramatic prairie dog *dunn dunn dunnnnn!*
"Now instead of only collecting 1173 florins per turn, I get to collect 1245!"

*YAWN!* points crossbow at own head
Good-bye, cruelty-free world...

New signature line?
This is the only way to demonstrate how insane I am.