Quote Originally Posted by Gelatinous Cube View Post
If claim fabrication is how you intend to expand, the most you can get at a time is a Duchy, and only then with a good Chancellor. The most expedient way to go about claim warfare like that is to fabricate multiple claims before going to war, as there should be a "Press all claims" cassus belli.

As for getting vassals without conquering, I've only seen it work when you're an Empire and you're asking Duchies and Counties to join you. They have to be independent and at peace for you to have the option. You can ask Kings, but they always say no it seems.
So I just checked, the ruler was a petty king, Ill try again when hes dead.