I listen to history podcasts from time to time, and one thing I've noted is that early medieval vassalage was a lot more personal, and a lot less connected to the ideal of a state. A king's control over territory was much more tenuous; the death of a king was much more likely to result in the shattering of the State. This isn't terribly well modeled in CK2, but I think modeling it would be fairly easy within the existing framework.
Currently, there are two forms of title holding: Feudal and Imperial. Imperial titles are enabled by Imperial administration, and provide the advantage of being able to reissue them every time the holder dies, and also being able to retract them at will. Feudal holders aren't happy about the existence of Imperial titles. What I propose is the addition of a third, more primitive form of title holding, the name of which, but which would work as follows.
CK2's current method would be enabled by adopting late feudal administration. Prior to this, vassals would be about as connected to their liege as secondary heirs under elective gavelkind, or khans in nomadic realms. By this, I mean upon the liege's death, vassals would have the option to go independent for free. Further, their heirs wouldn't get any special claims, just the usual de jure claim (and dying without being eligible for the title might destroy it entirely, until such time as a great statesman arises to recreate it).
Under certain cultures, these titles would have different names to reflect the period of history being modeled. For example, the Anglo-Saxon king level title might be called "Bretwalda" or something, with their duke level vassals being called "petty kings". Irish might have a High King (or translated equivalent). The feel we'd be going for is the idea that these are the early, mythical kings were came before their time and lacked the institutions necessary to leave the title to their heirs.
Currently, there are two forms of title holding: Feudal and Imperial. Imperial titles are enabled by Imperial administration, and provide the advantage of being able to reissue them every time the holder dies, and also being able to retract them at will. Feudal holders aren't happy about the existence of Imperial titles. What I propose is the addition of a third, more primitive form of title holding, the name of which, but which would work as follows.
CK2's current method would be enabled by adopting late feudal administration. Prior to this, vassals would be about as connected to their liege as secondary heirs under elective gavelkind, or khans in nomadic realms. By this, I mean upon the liege's death, vassals would have the option to go independent for free. Further, their heirs wouldn't get any special claims, just the usual de jure claim (and dying without being eligible for the title might destroy it entirely, until such time as a great statesman arises to recreate it).
Under certain cultures, these titles would have different names to reflect the period of history being modeled. For example, the Anglo-Saxon king level title might be called "Bretwalda" or something, with their duke level vassals being called "petty kings". Irish might have a High King (or translated equivalent). The feel we'd be going for is the idea that these are the early, mythical kings were came before their time and lacked the institutions necessary to leave the title to their heirs.
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