Quote Originally Posted by Cyclops
...I know the pirates in the North Sea are a massive hazard, but is Belgium really the only option once Britain is secured?
It is very expensive to take on the Pirates. If you are going any further than a quick hop across the Channel (which can be done within a single turn), then you need control of the sea.

In my v0.80 campaign there was a succession of pirate fleets sailing up and down the channel. I think I lost three stacks of the high level ships (Pontomoros?) before I could build a stack that actually survived long enough to limp back to Ictis and refit.

In v1.0 it wasn't quite so bad - but this may just be down to chance. Belgium is the best place to start because it is rebel, is of the correct culture and can quickly become a good base for expansion. If you want to invade further north, I suggest you hop over to Belgium first then march up the coast with your fleet sailing beside you, so if it gets sunk then you haven't lost the army too.

Don't forget that your Victory conditions are to control Britannia, Hibernia, Gaul and Northern Iberia - not Scandinavia, so landing there is a bit of a luxury.