Crusader Kings 3 - Guide - Italy Guide

In this Crusader Kings 3 guide, I highlight some of the interesting starts in Italy in CK3.
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[@bgcgames5838]

I wish that the papacy had cardinals and that you could let one of your children join the cardinal chamber to compete for the papacy I think that would be really fun tbh.

[@MrGreen-sv4vl]

Thats an awesome idea

[@1992zorro]

CK2 had Cardinals right?

[@Mithiras]

That's not how Cardinals worked though, your children would join the clergy and work their way up through intrigue and funds they had from your family. You don't join the college of Cardinals automatically.

[@johannesschmitt794]

@@Mithiras Yes and no. Today it works like that, but in the medieval times the papacy and cardinals were practically offices for sale. Look at Rodrigo Borgia for example. So if you are a powerful lord, you could influence the vote for the next pope heavily. Especially if you’re Italian, which is why almost every pope until the 19th century has been Italian. Bishoprics and the like were also sold. I guess that it would be an even more realistic experience, if you were able to “direct” the will of the Holy Spirit to one of your sons.

[@Killjoyghost666]

I think that or let crusaders teach them after the Christian's lunches there crusades

[@skylerb9594]

Louis II didnt actually have a kingdom rank title, before the start date he was crowned Holy Roman Emperor, at the start date he used the title Imperitor Italicum, and then after he conquered Bari he used the title Imperator Romanorum, which pissed off the byzantine emperor who he was actually allies with, they then had a letter correspondence debating with each other the meaning of Roman among other things

[@Visavislespoir]

Sad you didn't mention the sawdanids more thoroughly. They are a very interesting but insanely difficult start. Other than that, this is a great guide.

[@tomreit]

About the Spartenoi - they were called the "Sergi", after Gregorious' father, Sergius - the previous Duke of Naples.

[@schuylervilar462]

I have not started in Italy in 867 but I've done both Apulia and Tuscany for 1066 and have been some of my favorite games. I plan on revisiting the Robert Guiscard start because I did it back when achievements were bugged. Love these starts! Italy is a personal favorite of mine in Ck3 and will probably go back after I finish this Daurama start.

[@yosoyairton1308]

Any advice for playing Tuscany in 1066?

[@mandead]

Correction re Spartenos dynasty They should be Catholic, not Orthodox. They were aligned with the Roman church as early as the 800s and count Sergius I's son was a papal legate who took part in one of the early Lateran councils. The bishops of Napoli were confirmed at Rome, and of course these families were neighbours of the Pope and the Normans of Sicily. In 867, and especially by 1066, they weren't really in the Byzantine sphere.

[@RealmBuilderGuy]

Good point

[@ElOnlyMan]

You should do separate videos for different time frames that way you have more content and don’t gotta worry about super log videos. :D

[@RealmBuilderGuy]

That’s a plan for the future for sure.

[@europeanpatriot8031]

This isn't a "super long video". It's actually pretty short.

[@shawngillogly6873]

Italy is, imho, a fun start in either date. Border gore happens...but then, in the land of 300 city states, that's not nearly as unrealistic as other places. I've had fun games as both Matilda and Robert in 1066. And further north in 867. Tried Prince of Benevento, but it fell apart quickly on me.

[@RealmBuilderGuy]

Benevento is a tough start

[@shawngillogly6873]

@@RealmBuilderGuy yeah, IIRC, I got DoWed from both North and the Byzantines in that one. Lol

[@MrStebre1]

I'm from Italy and I'm glad you did this guide!

[@MrStebre1]

The pronunciation of Adlechi is with a k sound!

[@RealmBuilderGuy]

@@MrStebre1 ah of course! I’m tired, but should’ve known better.

[@BlackPigeonPilled]

Thanks for covering the Orsini's, my favourite family in CK2.

[@CardinalConky]

21:06 - The house of Orsini did have three popes, but they were actually the house of five popes, as popes Stephen II and his brother pope Paul I were of the Bobone, and their brother Constanzo is the direct ancestor to all Orsini including Celesine III, who was his nine times great grandson. The Orsini also controlled the Despot of Epirus. Thanks for the videos btw. They are great quality and I am binging them at the moment. I have also subscribed!

[@RealmBuilderGuy]

Thanks for the sub and the great additional history!

[@raf015_2]

The ties with the Medici you were probably thinking about is the fact that the wife of Lorenzo il Magnifico is Clarice Orsini

[@CardinalConky]

@@raf015_2 yeah I made a video about the house of Orsini on my channel if you want to check it out

[@Majesticmoji]

Hey I dont normally comment on videos but I had to let you know that these guides are fantastic! I've watched all the guides you've put out so far. The way you give concise yet entertaining bits of info, has made watching them super easy. Great work! I hope you keep it up, as I see a lot of people agree.

[@RealmBuilderGuy]

Thank you so much 😊

[@theitalianliner1726]

Great start with the last of the Lombard Dukes! Btw, the right pronunciation is “Adelkee”. It would be fun to see the Lombards withstand the Normans and rise again.

[@raf015_2]

Damn, I wish they had a starting date around the early 13th century: I want to play as Frederick II of Sicily so bad: he was such a cool Emperor!

[@DFLCarpetFitting]

lOVING YOUR STUFF, BEEN WATCHING ALL YOUR VIDEOS

[@RealmBuilderGuy]

Thanks!

[@dacokc]

I like starting as Capua. Try to make an alliance with Tuscany early and taking the two city states to my south. Then make moves on Apulia, then the islands of Sicily, Sardinia, and Corsica.. then push north and create the Italian Empire. It's always fun taking a single County all the way to an Empire.

[@Unkn0wnP14yer]

This channel is about to blow up I know it

[@RealmBuilderGuy]

That would be great. 😊 Thanks!

[@connorshields2231]

I can’t believe you have so few subs, criminally underrated channel!

[@RealmBuilderGuy]

Thanks! Hopefully that will change soon.

[@eden6056]

@@RealmBuilderGuy Definitely

[@mandead]

And you mention Orvieto - it's a shame the most famous and interesting medieval papal dynasty are not playable: the house of Tusculum!

[@RealmBuilderGuy]

Yes! Nice shout!

[@dothedouglas1405]

How do you not have more subs? Your videos are too good to only have 300.

[@RealmBuilderGuy]

Thanks!

[@stonesmith8045]

I am playing a game where I started as the Duchess of Tuscany and now her son is the emperor of the HRE from his seat in Roma

[@RealmBuilderGuy]

That’s so cool!

[@jamesdean556]

Do you know why the heck I keep losing the kigdom of Italy to a random uprising that happens without a warning, rebelion nor a war and suddenly I lose the titel, 1/3 of my lands and I go back to being a mere duchess...any idea why? And how can I stop that from happening?

[@daviddanyluk535]

Great Italy Guide. How can I improve my levies? You may have already covered this subject.

[@RealmBuilderGuy]

Thanks! One of the best way sis to develop and improve your holdings and their buildings.

[@daviddanyluk535]

@@RealmBuilderGuy What is what I thought. :)

[@ciaranmck4469]

@@daviddanyluk535 also getting your bishop liking you goes a long way if you have a 100 opinion he will give you a decent amount of levies and quite a lot of money

[@MrMonsterwar]

This comment is two years late, and maybe someone else has pointed this out, but the Lambert in Spoleto is actually Lambert I and not Lambert II. Lambert II was the one who went on to become the king of Italy.

[@kun2588]

Hey man, totally unrelated but you seem really smart when it comes to things CK# related. Is there a way to land a spiritual head of faith of a custom religion. THanks!!

[@RealmBuilderGuy]

Ooh...not sure there. I haven’t messed around much with custom religion dynamics yet, so don’t want to tell you something that I’m not that well versed in.

[@kun2588]

@@RealmBuilderGuy Yeah man, I'd really appreciate it if you could make a video about the in-depth stuff in custom religions once you're done messing around with it, as I believe it could be useful to a lot of people. Keep making these awesome videos and stay safe out there!!

[@vinny9868]

Why'd you leave Sardinia out?

[@caniblmolstr4503]

Duchess Matilda is my arch nemesis as my favourite is Robert Guiscard. Just formed the Kingdom of Sicily and took Abruzzi and Spoletto. Also you got the Apulian strategy wrong. Now I became the HRE starting as Robert Guiscard so I do know something about this. Even before you unpause declare holy war on Agrigento. Rapid attack and take Agrigento. On the sidelines your archbishop should have been fab claims on Salerno. Around this time Matilda come rolling - That's fine. Give her that insignificant county without a fight - it's not your personal fief but that of your brother so its okay. After taking Salerno... Declare holy war on Palermo as it has high development. After fabricating claims on Salerno you should have switched your chaplain to generating piety. Also you can at the start swear fealty to the HRE, modify feudal contract to get council rights by increasing levies. Now take the Steward position so that you get more development. I like this campaign as you have multiple venues for expansion - Holy war into Africa, Taking the Lombard remnants, revenge on Matilda as well as terrifying the Byzantines. Very exciting gameplay

[@jamesdean556]

Why do I keep losing italy to a random uprising without even a fight...?

[@Ngacier]

Tried Friuli in 867, had Karling Claims, so ended up with East Francia, but wayy too turbulent

[@mandead]

Also, it's not represented in the game but the Aghlabids were actually of the Mu'tazila branch of Islam. It does exist in the game, but isn't used by anyone.

[@RealmBuilderGuy]

I’ll have to delve into that one

[@ardoin81]

I have the empire of Italy and control both the king of Italy and Croatia but won't let me get the unify Italy decision

[@McSnacks930]

HRE? Can’t find this in the videos

[@RealmBuilderGuy]

Here you go: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o3yyZJeCjKqEldU

[@imperiodosgameplays321]

I like Matilda so much, so I cheat making her younger so I keep playing as her forever. Now she is outliving almost all her children lol

[@europeanpatriot8031]

It was more like an overview than a guide.

[@RealmBuilderGuy]

It’s both

[@europeanpatriot8031]

@@RealmBuilderGuy Oh.

[@zigedelic3909]

Hard disagree re: Robert Guiscard recommendations. Matilda will declare war because she has de jure ownership of the top county, so you're best off just conceding it and letting her take it, while you consolidate power and finish off taking Sicily from the Muslims. (Go on a pilgrimage immediately, declare war on the single territory, should be super easy to take it, then declare a duchy war for the other 2, then take Malta are your leisure. Super quick 4 counties, right off the bat.) The 3 other Christian neighbours are never strong enough to start wars on you, so you can take your time fabricating claims on them.

[@RealmBuilderGuy]

Fair enough. I’ve also seen the Matilda conquest play out where all the small states ally against Robert and then it gets a bit hairy at times. But the variety we have with this game is what I love about it. Thanks for watching and for sharing your thoughts. I greatly appreciate it.

[@zigedelic3909]

@@RealmBuilderGuy yeah true, I've only seen that happen once when playing as Robert, most every other time I've been able to get stronger than them fast enough that their alliances don't help them

[@swimmerofage2148]

Matilda of Tuscany 1086>>

[@DavidLopez-gu8je]

Bruh I have the Pope taking literally the entire bottom south of Italy on mine play through... how tf do I get rid of that shit head