Why can't I press a vassal's claim?

[Captain Skinny]

So things are going smoothly, I build a barony to give to someone so I can press their claim and gain land.
I give it to an older man who has a claim of Cheiti in Italy. Currently, that duchy is bowing to the Italian king but only as a suzerain. Everything looks like it normally should, he arrives with his strong claim, no one is at war, there isn't anything obvious that would prevent me from pressing the claim.
I can't declare on the count, his duchess, or the king above them. It tells me I have no CB, which is bologna. To make matters worse, the claimant I gave the barony too is old and childless and the very count I wish to conquer is his heir! What a disaster. Any ideas?

[dv]

Grant your baron a duchy. When his heir (a count) inherits, he becomes your vassal. Assassination can speed things up. This assumes you are at least a king.

Edit:
No point starting a war. Inheritance is cheaper. Does not explain why you cannot declare war, though.

[Varainger]

Just my three cents.. ;

- Weak or strong claim ?
- Be sure you are trying to declare war on the right charater, which i'm not sure you do.
If the target duchy is a tributary, then you have to declare war on him, not the suzerain.
- Maybe a law prevents you to go to war. Your liege or the holder of the dejure title might have instituted it.

[Captain Skinny]

Alas, I am not (yet) a king. All I've got to play with for the next 5-10 years are counties, and I'd like a few more under my belt before declaring independence.

It is a strong claim. I've looked at declaring at everyone from the lowest count to the highest liege, nothin'. And I'll look into the law, but historically my king has low authority.

[simeon369]

maybe your council is empowered and against declaring war?

[bri]

If you are a subject then any non-aggression pacts your overlord has also apply to you. It's also possible that the realm law prohibits vassal DoWs.

[Captain Skinny]

Originally posted by bri:

If you are a subject then any non-aggression pacts your overlord has also apply to you. It's also possible that the realm law prohibits vassal DoWs.

Damn, that's it. Good call.
Thanks everyone for the help.