So when the game originallly came out I bought and installed it from Gamersgate (yeah I know the Betamax of download games stores) I played the Norman conquest and didn't have any trouble using my military to conquer England and defeat both Harolds. When I say conquered I mean fully occupied all counties and baronies by 1071 after starting from sept 15 1066. I am playing on steam version now so latest patches. last dlc I have is old gods so I'm missing last few real releases. Now maybe it is because I am playing on very hard at the moment and I cant remember the level of play on the original play through but it does seem a lot harder at the moment. For a start there is no point in hiring any mercenaries to supplement your sieges. This is because first, sieges take 2/3 of a year to complete on a castle when waiting, second assaults destroy your army numbers and third they cost a fortune that you cant keep pace with.
Just to be clear I have won the war, 100% war score and can claim victory any time I want has been like that since 1068, but I tell yah I cannot siege these guys down. Currently occupying Winchester, Essex, Sussex, Middlesex, Bedford, Devon. I have military superiority in numbers over what England can raise, the vassals are not helping Harold so it makes sieging them harder, and there is only them to besiege. England is at peace with Norway having eventually defeated them. My problem comes from the fact that I have 6600 military left in my standing army and any place I besiege I get hit with about 3 events every two months that kill a huge amount of my soldiers. Successful sally forth, siege camp raided by brigands and camp hit by disease. Is anyone else getting this or is it just me?
It doesn't help that each time I finish a siege I have to relieve a place besieged by 1500 soldiers as this does damage. I tried to get help from Flanders and eventually after a bribe they joined the war and sent 5000 men to besiege Norfolk with me. Upon arrival they lost 1500 to disease. Upon nearing completion of the siege their Duke died so it reset the whole siege even though I was in charge. Now down to 4400 men. Is it just the difficulty level I am playing on or does is this more brutal when trying to siege places?