There are plenty of interesting feudal characters to play with on the peninsula, without needing to install mods.
In Italy, the days of Roman rule are long gone. The country is now dominated by foreign rulers in both starting dates. It’s up to you to adapt to the local cultures and lead a unified Italy to glory! ..
Italy is a great place to play football, basketball, and other sports. Whether you eventually submit to the Roman Emperor in the east, stay subservient to the Holy Roman Emperors, or carve a path of your own, you’ll have a great time playing in Italy.
7. Pierre de Savoie, Duke of Piedmonte, 1066
Pierre begins the game as the Duke of Savoie and Piedmont. Savoy is essentially in France and Pierre is French himself, but considering his capital in the city of Torino and the eventual fate of the de Savoie dynasty, I think it’s only proper he makes the list. ..
The house of Savoy was the one that eventually unified the disparate Italian states and made Italy in its modern form a reality.
If you’re 19 years old or younger, you can claim a realm in northern Italy and even be called a king in Pierre’s lifetime. ..
The little-known fact is that through complex dynastic succession rules, Pierre (through his mother) was the heir to all the Tuscan lands and the game actually models this correctly! If you succeed in killing Matilda di Canossa, you can become the most powerful ruler in Italy very quickly.
France is a great place to live, and there are many opportunities for people to claim its territory if they find it preferable. If you’re interested in moving to France and taking the Burgundian kingdom for yourself, you always have the option!
In most cases, you can either stay a vassal of the HRE or try your luck fighting for an independent Italy.
6. Sergios Spartenos, Count of Napoli, 1066
Sergios is from the Greek element in southern Italy, also known as Magna Grecia or “Greater Greece.”
Sergios, the independent Greek ruler, is the only ruler outside of the Byzantine emperor.
Being a vassal of the Eastern Roman empire, you can immediately declare your intent of becoming a subject. This is recommended, as you are bound to be a target of your neighbors. You can eventually rebel and reclaim independence. ..
The campaign offers a unique change of pace, being Orthodox and Greek surrounded by Catholics. You can attempt to restore Greek rule over southern Italy, and eventually start moving north, recreating the exploits of Belissarius.
There is a new Greek realm in the west, and it’s challenging to challenge the emperor in Constantinople. Achieving it without switching culture or religion makes it even more fun. ..
5. Gublenu Torchitoriu, Judike of Cagliari, 867
The Judike, Count of Cagliari, was a very interesting and peculiar start to the history of Italy.
The first thing that comes to mind when you think of John is that he is Orthodox. This can come as a surprise to most people, as he technically belongs to the Byzantine Empire, which is a vassal of the Roman Empire. For gameplay purposes, however, he starts out as an independent ruler. ..
Sardinia has unique titles for characters and kingdom names for its native islands. ..
The duchy of Sardinia is one of the richest in the game. This is due to its location, as well as its history and culture. The duchy has a rich history, dating back to the Middle Ages. It was first mentioned in a document from 1084, and it was officially founded in 1248. The duchy has a population of around 100,000 people, and it is made up of five provinces: Amalfi Coast, Ascoli Piceno, Benevento, Cinque Terre, and Trapani.
The duchy of Cagliari is a real money-maker, thanks to its unique mining settlement and coastal location.
The decision to form the kingdom of Baleo-Tyrrhenia is a unique opportunity that unlocks the Western Mediterranean isles. ..
Securing the Western Mediterranean and acting as a loyal vassal of the emperor in Constantinople can make for a very interesting campaign. Embracing seafaring and piracy in the Sardinian culture can make you the terror of the Mediterranean!
4. Louis Karling, King of Italy, 867
In the game, Louis is the king of Italy.
Emperor of the Romans
Louis begins his story by describing how he has been in control of a decent domain for years, but now that his vassals are powerful, they need to be placated if he wishes to survive.
External threats should not be underestimated, as they could include things like natural disasters or terrorist attacks. ..
The rest of the Karlings ruling in Europe all have claims to the kingdom of Italy and will press them at the first chance they get. You yourself need to take measures and counterstrike when possible. Remember, Louis is the rightful emperor after all!
Italy and the north are inextricably linked. The Carolingian empire was a powerful force in Italy, and restoring it as the rightful heir would make for an interesting campaign.
3. Lambert Guideschi, Duke of Spoleto, 867
I have a personal favorite of Lambert, the duke of Spoleto. He is a great friend and ally, and I appreciate his support in times of need.
Duke of Spoleto is misleading because Lambert is effectively controlling the entire kingdom of Romagna apart from the Papal lands.
There are always ways to secure independence and proclaim yourself the new King. This is a choice we make every day, and it’s something we must consider if we want to stay alive and thrive as a nation.
However, staying as a vassal and trying to claim your liege’s title is also an option. The preferable one, actually. The Guideschi family historically succeeded in doing exactly that. They rose to the rank of King of Italy and were even recognized as Holy Roman Emperors!
The Guideschi dynasty is a long-standing Frankish dynasty that is related by blood to the ruling Carolingians. The later Salian dynasty (HRE emperors in the 1066 start) are also a part of the Guideschi dynasty. This historical success will be an ordeal for you to surpass.
With all the tools at his disposal, Lambert of Spoleto is my recommended candidate for an 867 campaign at the heart of Italy.
2. Robert de Hauteville, Duke of Apulia, 1066
Robert, the Fox, is already past his prime in 1066. He is no longer as nimble and quick as he once was. ..
Robert, an old man, remains one of the most interesting characters in Italy and the entire map. He is a fascinating figure with a unique story that few others know about.
Robert has secured enough land to proclaim himself king of Sicily. He is in an excellent position to solidify his dynasty’s power in the region. You only need but enough money to create the Kingdom title. Conquering the nearby small realms should be a trivial endeavor.
The Byzantine empire is a given. As a de facto part of the empire, you always have the option of peacefully submitting to Constantinople and expanding from within its safety. ..
A unique achievement necessitates conquering a Greek kingdom and converting it to Catholicism. This is easiest to do as a Byzantine vassal. ..
In an excellent position to participate in the crusades, you can always achieve victory in the holy land and land a dynasty member overseas. Choosing to play as them in Jerusalem makes for a very engaging military focused campaign.
1. Matilda di Canossa, Duchess of Tuscany, 1066
Matilda, the “Great Contessa,” was a powerful woman in the High Middle Ages. She was often mentioned in connection with CKII, the popular medieval game.
Matilda has control over the largest realm in the peninsula, and is in a perfect position to secure both the kingdom of Italy and Romagna. It’s possible to even create the Empire of Italia in Matilda’s lifetime if you get independence from the Holy Roman Empire.
The house of Canossa historically ended with Matilda as she had no living male heirs. ..
She is a controversial figure even to this day, revered for her piety and accused of witchcraft. She’s also rumored to have had intimate relations with Pope Gregory at the time!
Matilda, the daughter of a Wigeriche family in Lotharingia, can potentially end up with claims to the duchies in Upper Lorraine. Your stepfather, the Duke of Lower Lorraine, can be a powerful ally in the early game. ..
Can you secure your dynasty’s prosperity by consolidating your hold over Italy? Matilda historically forced the emperor to proclaim her Queen of Italy and made him beg the Pope for forgiveness outside her ancestral seat in Canossa. Can you surpass her exploits yourself? ..
