Most difficult faction to win with?

[PershsNhpios]

XL or MTW, the Polish are my favourite, and my most accustomed Kingdom.
I can win near to any battle with Polish units, I love their Political situation, their cavalry, they are close enough to the East to be influenced by the old Sarmatian ways, yet dear enough to the West to hold on to Catholicism and grand, Feudal armies.
Easy!

However, I am a very different player, I would feel uncomfortable as the French, English or Germans in any era - almost so that I would probably be defeated.
This is because I do not like the feel of being cast into an empire - especially not one under scrutiny - but prefer to use stratagem to create my own Kingdom out of little in a world full of empire.

[phred]

I haven't played XL in a while, but I remember the Crusaders on High to have a challenging start. You start with good troops but no infrastructure to build more and no inns for mercenaries. You're also surrounded by enemies. Once you get past the challenging start, you're on easy street with the rich middle eastern provinces.