Why can't I make an alliance?

[Novusordo]

Hi all,

I'm playing as England 90 turns in. I've taken over England, Wales and Scotland as well as all of Normandy and I notice the Danes have started to conquer Northern France and are quickly expanding downwards.

The Countship of Flanders has 1 remaining province which is right next to English-controlled Caen and I intend to align with Flanders and support them against the inevitable war with the Danes so they act as a sort of "buffer" but when I tried to make a Ceasefire with them they refused!! A detailed look at my state of dimplomacy gave a clue as to why which was Portugal being at war with me and an ally with Flanders did seem rather conflicting - oh wouldn't it be awesome if they could tell you this in-game, but I digress. I quickly ceasefired with Portugal and tried with flanders again but they refused once more!!

How can a people on the brink of destruction not want to ally with a superpower?

[Kjertesvein]

Hi all,

I'm playing as England 90 turns in. I've taken over England, Wales and Scotland as well as all of Normandy and I notice the Danes have started to conquer Northern France and are quickly expanding downwards.

The Countship of Flanders has 1 remaining province which is right next to English-controlled Caen and I intend to align with Flanders and support them against the inevitable war with the Danes so they act as a sort of "buffer" but when I tried to make a Ceasefire with them they refused!! A detailed look at my state of dimplomacy gave a clue as to why which was Portugal being at war with me and an ally with Flanders did seem rather conflicting - oh wouldn't it be awesome if they could tell you this in-game, but I digress. I quickly ceasefired with Portugal and tried with flanders again but they refused once more!!

The crossed alliance issue is a well established conflict. Just see what happends if 2 of your allys make war, it's reverse, but the same effect.

Now to the meat of this....

How can a people on the brink of destruction not want to ally with a superpower?

Because they don't trust you. You have simply wiped out an entier nation to the north (Scotland), kinda like Nazi's in Germany after ww2, they simply don't trust you. I guess you also might have exterminated christian soliders or townfolks, that also damage your reputation. You may also have stepped on land not under your command or your militarilly allied to. You may have shown aggression toward germany (Flanders usual ally) or shown kindness to France(their obvious arch enemy), or simply shown kindness to their future enemy (denmark) for too long (or still doing it). You may also have used "secret" assassins alot, the reason for lack of trust is quite obvious on this point. Your public figuer (Faction Leader) may also have lots of Dread, now who want to deal with a Tyrant?

• Slow down the "Empire" modus, and don't wage pre-emptive and aggresive wars. If they started the war, then you may strike them back. If they are excommunicated, then their reputation is most likly low, then you may strike them. This mean, build fortifications first. Secondly, let them hit you a couple of times with thestick -- This will gather sympaty for you across the continent. Once you hit 'Reliable' reputation, then you can hit them, but make sure their reputation is as low as possible. Prefered below 'Mixed' status.
• Never exterminate people of your own religion, it's actully a reason why the Norse have a bad reputation (even though only 1% of them raided). Always Occupy and always Release.
  
  • This is great to combine this with the first point. Let them come to you, release, then continue the cyckle with the same enemy troops. Your reputation will grow like weed. One thing many people wounder about -- "Can I 'Continue the batlle' once the enemy flee from the battle field. The answer is yes, your reputation will not budge an inch if you capture them.
• Also, never walk into anothers territory, I guess it shows your lack of respect for natural laws of the land. It's ok for small clicks, but try to command your command to stay on the ships or within your own border or where there are deals made (military access).
• Now about the politics: Cut all diplomatic ties with any enemy or future enemy of Flanders (France, Denark, etc.). That includes trade rights or any other diplomatic effort. Fight the enemy of Flanders, or the enemys of Flemish's allys. You may also give large diplomatic aid to the enemy of the enemy of Flanders. Example Spain, Norway, Milan, etc. This will damage France and Denmark, and give Flanders the edge to maintain a healthy county.
  
  • If you like little Denmark first, but know there will be a diplomatic conflict soon, then give small diplomatic aid each turn (automatic). This will make sure they don't recive any "social security" from the Money aid engine, this depend on if you did accept the first turn pop-up.
• Stop any assassin activitys. Period. Merchants, Spys(don't get cought by friendlys), Priest's, etc. are al A.O.K. If there is an enemy assassin in your territory, then plant spys a spy to protect that character/town.
• This is also one of many reasons why your Leader increase his dread, so just don't increase it, at least for some time.

As to this point, you may have noticed have crucial your Reputation really is to make any diplomatic engagement.

Now I know this sound boring, I was there when I read tips from Rebel6666. However, once you succeed - there is so much to improve on and discover, and the amount of influence and control over other kingdoms is inreased by ten folds, there are so many pluss sides to it. I have not tried to turn the reputation-tide, because I choose from the begining, but I see no reason why you should not succeed after 100 turns of probably rockbottom Reputation.

-Enjoy.

[Novusordo]

wow thanks for all that my friend. I wish I had seen it earlier as I have already continued my war with France but I have been implementing a few things from what you suggested. I have been releasing French prisoners and you are right - it really DOES help with relashions and it eventually led to France agreeing to a Ceasefire and a few turns later - trade rights!

Nethertheless I have two armies in Normandy ready to take on the impending wars with Denmark and France. Just a matter of time!

This left me with a dilema though - who to fight and expand my empire? Well I shipped 2 full armies to Africa and I just took Fez province! I find longbowmen are devastating against the lightly armoured desert nations so I had a ship full of Yeomen and Welsh longbowmen trailing behind my primary stacks, as well as a ship half full of light hobilars and mailed knights - not too heavy as to become easily tired in the heat of the desert!

What was annoying though is halfway through the armies' journey via ship to Africa, one of my generals in Normandy aquired the "Grandmaster of Templar" ancillary which denotes a + command when fighting arabs!!!