Expanding through Marriage?

JosunUrashima said:

This is an aspect of the game I still do not entirely understand, so I figured I'd ask about it.

I know there are ways to expand one's realm and titles via marriage, but how exactly does one do this? Any info on this would be greatly appreciated.

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1. Your heir (usually son) marries a landed person. That means your grandchild will end up with both your lands and the other lands. So you have to wait a few generations but it will eventually be inherited.

2. If someone in your dynasty marries someone with an inherited claim, then the resulting child (hopefully of your dynasty) will have a claim that you can press. As long as that claim is of a lower rank that you, they will end up as your vassal.

3. If someone in your realm (doesn't even have to be your dynasty) marries a landed person, the person's child will eventually get the land. If they become your vassal first (of at least the same rank as the other title), the other land will join your realm.

4. A similar thing you can do is find someone who is an heir (to say a County). Invite him to your court and grant him a title that is of at least the same rank. When the guy inherits, the new land joins your realm because he was your vassal first. Note that this can be a little dangerous if you have less than High Crown Authority because if the guy dies before inheriting, the land you gave him could be inherited outside your realm (for example, going to his already landed father).

5. You or your heir marries someone who isn't landed, but is somewhere in the line of succession to a title you want to inherit. Then you murder everyone ahead of them so they inherit the title.