1066 Battle of Hastings start*
Only with Jord's DV Improvement Pack or More Kingdoms Mode, and Veld's Alternate Scenario mode.
Only these scenarios have corrected Welsh dynasties and Geography.
Duchy of Gwynedd
Why start here? In a word: Challenge! The passionate
Celtic Welsh fought tooth and nail to maintain their independent
culture and
way of life. Chose the Duchy of Gwynedd and see how long
You can last against a powerful neighbor!
Gwynedd is a great starting location as the
Mathrafal clan (pronounced Math-ra
val), represented by the Wolf of Wales
Bleddyn ap Cynfyn, has consoldated his authority filling the power-vacuum following the death of his maternal half-brother
King Gruffydd ap Llywelyn in 1063. Gwynedd has great economic potential if properly invested in. It is a bit far from the trade routes, and technology may not arrive as soon as it would in the Middle Sea.
Of a typical passionate nature, Bleddyn has many progeny of various skill levels that may be used to forge important diplomatic alliances across Europe! Many of his sons would make a great heir.
Stratigy: William of Normandy has just conqured the Anglo-Saxons. However, the Anglo-Saxons are not pleased with their dispossession and the great Northern Dukes of Northumbria and Mercia (Lancaster) are plotting to overthrow the Norman yoke. Bleddyn ap Cynfyn has allied with the Saxon Eric the Wild and the Duke of Northumbria and Mercia.
Use the pending rebellion by these Saxons as a cover to further extend Gwynedd's primacy in Wales by taking one of the south Welsh counties and proclaim Kingdom status.
Marry your sons to heiresses that will give you prestige, then use this prestige to take claims of the Marcher counties such as Chester, Hereford, and Shrewsbury. Expand there if they rebel against England.
You will need this as William will more often then not retake the north. By the time he has retaken control... your goal is to have expanded into a position of strength. Possibly take Man and Iceland.
Be weary of a protracted foreign war. Invest in Wales.
An alternate stratigy may include taking the duchy of Deheubarth from your Dinefwr cousins. If things with England get too hairy.... pledge to France for help and create an Auld Alliance akin to the Gallo-Scot Auld Alliance. Paris
is further away then London, after all.