How do I get rich?

[unmerged(451341)]

Specifically how do my character get rich in the early game. I start off usually with less than 50 (what currency does the game use? Is it gold). My natural response would be to go for a castle village which I cannot build right away since that cost 100, and it takes months of waiting (like a year) to save up the needed 50 to pay for the castle village. I am playing as an Independent so I do not collect much taxes per month at all.

Lots to pay for but money is seemingly hard to come by. Is there a way (excluding using cheats) to get money to pay for improvements, troops, feasts, etc?

 

[raw]

Lots to pay for but money is seemingly hard to come by.

I thought so too at first but many things in the game are really really cheap. It's really only buildings that cost alot for some reason.

For getting money you can raise taxes with your steward (causes rebellions) or enact higher tax laws (requires good standing among your vassals).

 

[Ioustinos]

I've found that this is one of the nice things about starting as a Count -- you can max out all your Tax and Levy laws while you still have the only vote that counts. It will hurt your relations with your vassals later, but who's afraid of a little rebellion?