A series of questions here:
1.) When I have the opportunity to create a new duchy, should I? What are the benefits and cons of creating a new duchy? Who should this duchy go to, my family or my courtiers?
2.) How can I gain control of areas without revoking titles and being seen as tyrannical? I'm playing as Scotland, and I have conquered the county of Carrick, as well as put down a rebellion in Moray. Unfortunately I don't directly rule in any of these provinces. (Well, my character owns the duchies, but each individual county is owned by a count... I thought the duke always held one county in a duchy?) The people are loyal to me, but I would like to gain control for maximum income and levy amount. Same question for my already held lands - I want more money and levies.
3.) A continuation of the previous question; how to make more money? It seems odd that a kingdom such as Scotland makes 2 gold coins per month. I can barely afford to upgrade my holdings, certainly not when I have to pay off my vassals to make them like me to pass laws.
4.) Which holdings should I be improving? Capital holdings owned directly by me, or my vassals'? I understand that
all tax and levies go straight to me if I own the land and laws determine how much my vassals pay to me. By this logic, I should be upgrading my own land first and foremost? Linking back again to question 2; how do I get more land?
This is the main frustration of the game for me. I can't grasp the idea of gaining money and land without ending up with a web of vassals and hangers on.