"For defending, set as many traps as you can. Such as hiding most of your men among the trees and surprising your enemy. Letting them come and attack your exposed troops, then sweep around and catch them on the flank or better, in the rear. This has helped me win many a battle, thanks for reading, hope it helps." - WarLord

"Economic tips 1.

It might seem obvious, but only build very specific things in individual provinces, rather than just going nuts with your building all over the place. For example:
Have only one province for Cavalry, one province for infantry, one for archer/missle troops, one for ships, and so on. And each of these provinces, build up that particular industry, thereby vastly improving the quality of troops that are produced. One or two units of upgraded infantry and a unit of archers can defeat a rebel army of thousands, believe me.

One of the most expensive things to build is a farm upgrade in your provinces, so be selective. Find the provinces that have the most income POTENTIAL, i.e., have trade resources, and build farms, ports and trading posts.

And when in wars, don't just take their lands without thinking. Look at which are their most valuable provinces, and take those first, so if a peace is offered or needed later, you already have come out vastly in front.

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Pope problems

Ah yes, that pesky Pope in Rome.
The only ways to avoid the Papal Excommunication and all it entails, (rebellions, breaking of alliances, a Crusade being declared on YOU!), are to either keep the Pope happy, or to simply play as a Muslim or Orthodox Faction.

The Pope is essentially kept happy if you dont go to war with other non-excommunicated Catholic Factions. Going to war with the Muslims or the orthodox dosn't bother him, though note that it may effect politics overall due to any alliances in play.

The problem is that as a Catholic nation, your nearest neighbours, and thus your best chances at expansion, are Catholic also. The only thing to really do is to wait until one of them is excommunicated, then go to town on them, or to keep any inter-catholic wars quite small. And if those Frenchies are just asking for a good war, wait untill the pope is old, (45ish and up), so when you do get excommunicated, he'll be dead in a few years and all excommunications are voided anyway.

If another catholic faction declares war on you, don't go on the offensive, just hold your provinces and wait for the attacker to get excommunicated. Note: if an attacking catholic faction takes your province but you still hold the castle, you can retake it without problems from the pope. BUT, if the keep is lost also, and you retake the province, the pope will deem it as Catholic on Catholic attacking, regardless of the fact that a catholic just took the bloody province of you in the first place. You'll get the ole "withdraw in two years and dont attack for ten" line.

And lastly, if you just cant stand the Pope and his meddling, simply go to war with HIM, and take his lands. The Pope will then be a puppet of your imperial power, so drinks all round. But if you do this, do it fast, because in a few turns, the pope will declare a crusade on your faction. " - Spud