Creating Kingdom Titles

[Theruss]

Say, you hold a Kingdom title. Now, it is not uncommon for a vassal to create a duchy title for one self if such a title does not exist yet. In my recent game, I successfully invaded Bulgaria. So, the King is now my vassal. He holds like 5 counties. So, it didn't take him long to create two duchies for his former realm. Seeing this, I created the Kingdom of Bulgaria title for myself.

Which brings me to my question. Can vassals create a Kingdom title if they hold the majority of the realm needed for the title? And if they did, surely they'd break off and become independent right? In fear of that, I created the Kingdom of Bulgaria title, and naturally every vassal in that area now wants that Kingdom. So, I take the relations hit. Just wondering if I made the right decision. Is it wise to create Kingdom titles if you are not or soon to become an Empire?

 

[jordarkelf]

The only restriction on vassal title creation is that they may not become independent by doing so, so they are not allowed to create one equal or higher than their liege's rank.
Thus meaning that any duke vassal of an Emperor is allowed to create a king title, and is within his rights to want it.
Personally I never want king level vassals as an emperor, so I have both modded the game to make it less likely for vassals to create kingdoms, and when I as a multi-king can become an emperor, one of the first things I do is destroy the kingdom titles I hold that are within the de jure empire, to ensure I get no vassal penalty for holding them.