Strategies to break up the HRE? Problems with Crown Authority

[Yankee1863]

So I'm playing as the Capets of France, pretty standard game.

My standard procedures to acquire Imperial land was usually to marry with the heiress of a neighboring duchy (Lorraine or Provence) - or make her the heiress - and then our son would inherit both, increasing the size of France.

Problem is, I've noticed that the HRE increases crown authority like it was the 18th century. They get High Crown Authority by the 12th century and there's nothing I can do to stop it. Trying to attack the HRE would be suicide.

Not only are the HRE mechanics in the game completely non-historical (EU3 simultes the HRE in a better way) but the HRE is now agressive towards me - when it was the compete opposite historically.

I generally like the The Prince and the Thane mod because it makes an empire and kingdom have less levies and revenues simply because it is so large to manage. Until then, does anyone have strategies or recommendations on how to gain land against the HRE?

 

[IVIaarten]

I have a bit of the same problem. Independent Frisia, but the HRE is absolutely massive and at absolute crown authority. The few revolts they get are smacked down without much effort.

 

[Octavio]

I tend to have the same problem with the HRE... sometimes they blob, but they never really implode. That´s why I´d go for classic strategies, like invading when they are occupied elsewhere, excommunications and assassinations, messing up their inheritance succession, aiding the HRE´s enemies in war...

The worst thing that happened to the HRE in my games was a waldensian emperor, but they survived even that.

 

[Ols]

I think one of the other problems is that people who rebel don't generally border each other. If all of Italy, all of Burgundy and all of Frisia decided to go at once then they'd be far more likely to break free properly, especially if they formed larger states after doing so or had lasting alliances. Playing inside the HRE and becoming a kingdom seems to be a much better way of getting out, but sadly the AI is too stupid to do this and just has diffuse holdings all around the place.

 

[WeissRaben]

So I'm playing as the Capets of France, pretty standard game.

My standard procedures to acquire Imperial land was usually to marry with the heiress of a neighboring duchy (Lorraine or Provence) - or make her the heiress - and then our son would inherit both, increasing the size of France.

Problem is, I've noticed that the HRE increases crown authority like it was the 18th century. They get High Crown Authority by the 12th century and there's nothing I can do to stop it. Trying to attack the HRE would be suicide.

Not only are the HRE mechanics in the game completely non-historical (EU3 simultes the HRE in a better way) but the HRE is now agressive towards me - when it was the compete opposite historically.

I generally like the The Prince and the Thane mod because it makes an empire and kingdom have less levies and revenues simply because it is so large to manage. Until then, does anyone have strategies or recommendations on how to gain land against the HRE?

Wait - EU3 represents better the Holy Roman Empire post Golden Bull. But yes, the HRE gets to unrealistic levels way too fast.