What should you do with imprisoned lords after a massive rebellion?

[freeaxle]

Ok, so I've elevated myself to become Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire (I started out as the count of Wiemar), initiated Gavelkind succession and have started strengthening Crown authority so that I can get primogeniture at some point. Then, my emperor died unexpectedly, and a good third of the empire broke off in revolt, which made sense as I'd just changed the succession laws away from election. Question 1: Is the size and scope of the rebellion due to the inheritance laws being recently changed, or is it something you have to deal with every succession if you have a realm like the HRE?

My second question, which is far more important, is what do I do with all the imprisoned vassals? I'm tempted to go on a massive banishing spree (I even have the King of Bohemia in jail ) and start afresh by assigning people I choose to the titles I don't want for myself. Is this a bad idea? Mainly what I'd like to know is the best way to secure the realm when half the most important nobles are in prison, under your control. Cheers in advance

 

[Tamas]

The Tyranny penalty you get for banishments can really hurt.

I decide their fate on an individual basis, but in almost all cases I let them peacefully die in my dungeon, and hope to make things right with their successor. I do chip a Duke title off them if they have it, since you can do that without penalty.

 

[InnocentIII]

You seem to get one and only one free Revoke Title for a rebellion, so grab the one you want most. Frankly, if the real danger has passed, and the guy is still ready to rebel, let him go. You get +10 to all vassals for being such a nice guy, but these don't stack, so let one guy go +10 let ten guys go +10. If he rebels again, you get another title.

I generally go with my mood. My #3 son murdered my #2 son after my #1 son died to a matrilinial marriage bug (i.e. I messed up and had to assassinate him). Everyone started plotting against my new heir, #2's little boy. I went all Liam Neeson on them (well, they all died in the Oubliette).

Nothing says "LOVE" like a family tree filled with skulls and iron bars.

 

[DreadLindwyrm]

Revoke a title, then either let them rot in the oubliette, free them if you want the relationship bonus, or ransom them if you want some cash. If they do it again, you should be able to do it all again.

Then it's just a matter of finding a new person to give the spare titles to, and hoping that they like you.

 

[unmerged(193360)]

I just keep them in prison until they die, they won't be causing any trouble while behind bars. If a particular prisoner has a county I want for myself or has gotten his hands on too many duchies I might revoke a title, but I usually don't bother. Whoever I give the revoked title to will probably just revolt too.

 

[Dark3lf]

For each vassal that rebel, you can imprison them for free later after the rebellion end. When you try to imprison and they rebel again, you can revoke 1 of their title. Good way to restructure the kingdom