Quote Originally Posted by FactionHeir
Noticed florins are harder to come by on default rather than small unit sizes, so my empire is barely getting by as opposed to floating in florins for bribery.
Can't afford all those ships and bolster my land borders. Got a ship in most non occupied sea lanes though.

My influence 8 king didn't seem to help much when France and then HRE declared war on me (from being allies). Everyone else cancelled their alliance with me even though I was considered the largest military power and my king had more influence than theirs. Maybe that's part of the higher difficulty level?

This happens on every difficulty level. I have played countless games on Hard level default setting and 90% of the time I will have at least 500,000 in florin no matter what faction I play. If catholic, you have free rain to take over all the Muslim land. ANTIOCH, TRIPOLI, Egypt will net 2000- 3000 with trade. Thats 6000- 9000 per year.

From day one send your emissary to bribe Sweden+ Norway and spam out ships till your empire connect. By 1205 you should have enough money in the bank to not be effected by alliances and war. Taking over muslim land is my key to getting rich with any faction.

Alliances don't mean too much in this game.