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The religion development diary last week has spurred some productive discussion of medieval religion on the forum. One topic that I am curious about is whether the College of Cardinals will be portrayed in the game. The College became prominent in 1059, when during the Gregorian Reforms its members reserved the right to elect the next pope. Previously the Holy Roman Emperor asserted the right to name the successor to the Chair of St. Peter, and this was one of the bases of the Investiture Crisis of the late XI century. In CK1, the Pope tended to be named from among those prince-bishops who had the highest piety, with their lands returning to their lieges or if they were independent ecclesiastical lords their lands became part of the Papal States. So I am hoping for something more in line with historical practice, at least like many things in Crusader Kings from the beginning of the scenario.
Like other political developments, the College's role, size, and composition should be subject to historical development over time. Initially, the cardinals should be made up of those clergy who held bishoprics in the Papal States. I have seen on recent screenshots that the Pope has a number of bishops as his vassals, such as a Bishop of St. Paul. Are there any plans to make men such as these cardinals?
Should secular rulers gain particular influence over the papacy, there could be a growing number of cardinals either aligned to one kingdom or another or actually holding bishoprics or archbishoprics in say France or Aragon or Bohemia. Kings with high piety (or an established right to do so) might expect that their spiritual lords should be named cardinals to reflect their kingdoms' importance within the universal church.
Like other political developments, the College's role, size, and composition should be subject to historical development over time. Initially, the cardinals should be made up of those clergy who held bishoprics in the Papal States. I have seen on recent screenshots that the Pope has a number of bishops as his vassals, such as a Bishop of St. Paul. Are there any plans to make men such as these cardinals?
Should secular rulers gain particular influence over the papacy, there could be a growing number of cardinals either aligned to one kingdom or another or actually holding bishoprics or archbishoprics in say France or Aragon or Bohemia. Kings with high piety (or an established right to do so) might expect that their spiritual lords should be named cardinals to reflect their kingdoms' importance within the universal church.