Empires without kingdoms?

[Jeremydudeman81]

Is this a viable tactic? I notice that both the Byzantium Empire and the Holy Roman Empire are made up of counties and duchies, no kingdoms. I'm confused, wouldn't the vassals want their liege to own the kingdom title above it?

[mikemonger]

Sure it's viable. You take a relations hit and you have more issues with factions but it can be managed.

You'd be better off just holding all the kingdom titles yourself though. You get rid of the relations hit and vassals can only join factions within their kingdoms so you the risk of mega-factions drops.