How to maintain your crusader kingdom?

[xxxMoRaVexxx]

How to maintain your crusader kingdom? I mean they are far from your capital primarily(in the case of western european factions). I don't know how to maintain them. They have poor public order. Another religion. So many to mention.

[Desperado †]

Good Generals, and don't expand too rapidly. I tend to take many generals on a crusade, even faction leaders/heirs for the reason of all the chivalry and experience they get at the end. You tend to end up with at least one magnificent general at the end, keep him and a reasonable armie in your captured city. Now, although it's tempting, try not to go for another big city after the crusade or during - attack and take castles instead. Much less likely to rebel. Then hire as many priests as posibble. And make sure the generals you take have children - you don't want to end up with a dead line, and nobody to take command. If it's suitable, I tend to like to take a few on route places as well - Tunis, Irakilon (if Venice is Excomunicated), Rhodes, Cyprus - they prove usefull when carting family members too and from the holy land.
What is also fun - but challenging about crusades, is I tend to be on crusade with many of my enemies. All the armies tend to que up around the target city, and after you take it you find yourself under siege. That's why you should either rush to your Crusade Target straight away before the enemies armies are even halfway there, or If you arrive the same time, let them do the work, and then wriggly yourself in for the taking of the city.
And always be ready for an economic slump after the crusade - don't buy too many new units at home, and sack the city even though it will stop you from furthering your generals chivalry. And after taking the city try your best to stay in your popes good books. Last thing you want is Excomunication, so that even your Christian residences aren't happy, and then have the next crusades armies at your "Holy" Cities gates.

[Xamt]

i dont usually have a "crusader" kingdom, but this is what i always do when i decide to make one....(assuming jerusalem is the target)

1) land and capture acre, leave 3-4 units there for defence
2) capture jerusalem and sack - dont rebuild/repair
3) hold jerusalem until you can "see" it rebel (public order under 70%)
4) when 3 happens, remove all ur troops, gift the city to another christian nation or the pope and get something hefty in return (another city, tribute, alliance) and wait for it to rebel
5) retake the city and re-sack it - you should now have no problem controling it and the castle nearby will help you have some quality troops and a long term base in the holy lands for when the mongols come

now if you dont like the strategy above and you are the chivalrous type that wants to liberate the holy lands.... get a high dread general as the leader of ur crusade, exterminate the populace of the city u capture, bring 4-5 priests with your army and make sure the buildings u build raise religion/public order

[the_mango55]

Move your capital to Jerusalem.

Your home provinces will be all catholic and will have enough entertainment buildings present to still be content.