Yeah, I spoke to soon mate. I stuck it out and once the French got excommunicated I got the Pope to call a crusade to Paris, which was capture by Sicily. The attacks slowed, and I managed to capture Rheims. Two of my family members have been killed childless, but 30 turns in I've had at least 5 Heroic Victories. So my utmost apologies. Impossible? No, in fact. Highly challenging and as a result enjoyable? Indeed.