14 DAY TRIAL // Crusader Kings II is a complex and rewarding game but it is also a great way of teaching gamers about the Middle Ages in Europe, although not necessarily in the simple ways that most people imagine.
Sure, you can click the nice links that developer Paradox Interactive has attached to the profiles of the real world historical figures simulated in the game but the better way of learning about the Middle Ages is to simply try out a plot.
I, for instance, quickly found out that kids are some of the most valuable assets when it comes to noble families and that it’s a good idea to watch the immediate family for plots and threats.
My wife was of good stock, Bohemian, ready to deliver the kids I needed to secure my dynasty and with an inclination towards intrigue.
She seemed like the perfect woman to support my quest for more power, more territory and more money.
The problem with her is that she seems to be inclined towards taking out members of the family seemingly at random (I am sure a pattern was present but I was unable to discern it).
My spymaster is almost always set to uncover plots (the Germanic princes have nasty foreign policy habits) so I caught my wife red handed more often than I care to remember and I always forgave her because of her position in the court.
I could no longer do this when she targeted the bastard I had with the wife of a nobleman from my court (a monarch needs to have succession options) and I was forced to try and imprison her.
I let my wife rot in jail for about 3 years and then released her, hoping for a positive reaction but she soon got back to old plotting habits and I was forced to imprison her yet again until she renounced her mortal coil.
At least her sons never rose up in rebellion to support her.