I have the duchy of Sicily, but it is not validated on the "restore roman empire" action prerequisites.

[Aracthor]

I started a game as Byzantine Empire, willing to restore the roman empire. For this, I need to completly control a list of duchies, including the Sicily.

As I started in 769, I was already liege of a strategos (vice-duke) controlling every county of the theme (vice-duchy) of Sicily, himself or through vassal counts.

However, the option doesn't appear as checked when I pass my mouse over the "restore roman empire" option. It says I don't control completly the theme of Sicily.
However, every single county is on Byzantine control, including Malta island.

So why isn't it checked as valid? I have other duchies that I control totaly and that are validated, but not this one.
Is it a bug? Is it a special case? Do I have instead to control the kingdom of Sicily?

[Cryten]

usually when this happens you need to check every single barony and city. Theres something about them that lets them be owned by other entities not under your control. Probably holy orders.

[Aracthor]

Originally posted by Cryten:

usually when this happens you need to check every single barony and city. Theres something about them that lets them be owned by other entities not under your control. Probably holy orders.

You are right, there is a barony owned by the brotherhood of the holy sepulture...

So how should I kick them from Sicily? Ask my chancellor to fabricate a claim on it? Use the event "Expel them", the one making me loose 1000 piety?
Is there a way to move the holy order under my liege?

[Hurodrik]

Originally posted by Aracthor:

Originally posted by Cryten:

usually when this happens you need to check every single barony and city. Theres something about them that lets them be owned by other entities not under your control. Probably holy orders.

You are right, there is a barony owned by the brotherhood of the holy sepulture...

So how should I kick them from Sicily? Ask my chancellor to fabricate a claim on it? Use the event "Expel them", the one making me loose 1000 piety?
Is there a way to move the holy order under my liege?

The brotherhood of the holy sepulchre is an orthodox holy order. Can't you vassalize them somehow? I know the catholic king of Jerusalem can vassalize the Templars by decision, perhaps something similar can be done with the brotherhood. Is your emperor the king of Jerusalem?

Edit: And is he orthodox?

Edit2: In one of my games in which I inherited the Byzantine Empire, the Varangian Guard was a vassal of the patriarch of Constantinople. So it's possible one of your lords vassalized the order. In my game I was able to retract the vassalage from the patriarch, which made them my personal vassals, so if they are already vassalized to one of your lords you could try that.

[Aracthor]

Originally posted by Hurodrik:

Originally posted by Aracthor:

You are right, there is a barony owned by the brotherhood of the holy sepulture...

So how should I kick them from Sicily? Ask my chancellor to fabricate a claim on it? Use the event "Expel them", the one making me loose 1000 piety?
Is there a way to move the holy order under my liege?

The brotherhood of the holy sepulchre is an orthodox holy order. Can't you vassalize them somehow? I know the catholic king of Jerusalem can vassalize the Templars by decision, perhaps something similar can be done with the brotherhood. Is your emperor the king of Jerusalem?

Edit: And is he orthodox?

Yes, My emperor is orthodox. There is a kingdom of Jerusalem, but it is actually a vice-kingdom under my liege.

The only event that I can do with them is to expel them... It would make me loose 1000 piety, and I am not even sure it would work.
But if this is the only solution to restore roman empire... Screw the patriarch.

[Hurodrik]

Originally posted by Aracthor:

Yes, My emperor is orthodox. There is a kingdom of Jerusalem, but it is actually a vice-kingdom under my liege.

The only event that I can do with them is to expel them... It would make me loose 1000 piety, and I am not even sure it would work.
But if this is the only solution to restore roman empire... Screw the patriarch.

I don't know if the king of Jerusalem can vassalize them, like the catholic can. But if that were the case, you could wait for the viceroy to die (or help speed things along on that) and try to vassalize them when the kingdom reverts to you.

[afrodius]

You should be able to vassalize the holy order of your religion if you are the emperor. It's not a decision. Here's how. Give them a duchy in part of your de jure lands. Offer vassalization in the diplomacy menu.

[Aracthor]

I was able to vassalize them by the simplest way: click on their leader, choose offer vassalisation, they accepted.

I fully have got the theme of Sicily now. Thanks for the help!