Should I become a Lollard?

[sr902]

I'm still pretty new to this game, and I've just been offered the chance to be a heretic for the first time.
Thing is, I'm currently the petty Kingdom of Leinster in Ireland. I'm getting the feeling that I would be attacked from all sides. Also, would I lose any marriages? I've got my heir betrothed to a diligent little Scottish genius and I don't really want to lose out on having her as my future Queenh.

Just kinda wondering what I should expect if I convert, and how I can prepare for it.

[ShadoWwolF]

the AI is supposed to honor any betrothals whether they like it or not unless they're at war with you so you shouldnt lose any marriages.

becoming a heretic usually is a dangerous thing to do because all catholics (including your vassals and neighbors) will hate you. they'll also get the holy war CB against you and you'll get it against them. i would not suggest it if you're new and wont be able to withstand the onslaught of holy wars

after you're more experienced it does have some advantages, mainly the holy war CB against all of europe and no longer having to listen to the pope. if you have enough power before converting then becoming a heretic is one way of easily conquering most of europe

[Evil Crusader]

That, and you would have to invest quite a bit of time to make the new religion take root.
If you don't mind your game very spiky, go for it. :)

[Lightsong]

I wouldn't do it at this point. Chances are you'll get another opportunity at another point when you're stronger. I generally, when I do go heretic, do so when I'm one of the bigger kids on the block. That being said, it would be a lot of fun to "lol" because you're lollard. Lolololol....sorry, had to.

[Kuno1]

What if you are already the king of Eire? Can an irish king survive it? I'm considering it mostly because right now Italy is being Rekt by Cathar heresies. It's the year 1000 and crusades are being fought over it rather than the holy land. Meanwhile Spain is still green and I don't think the catholic church is going to be stable in the long term.

[Colonel Martyr]

Originally posted by Nori Hunter:

What if you are already the king of Eire? Can an irish king survive it? I'm considering it mostly because right now Italy is being Rekt by Cathar heresies. It's the year 1000 and crusades are being fought over it rather than the holy land. Meanwhile Spain is still green and I don't think the catholic church is going to be stable in the long term.

Depends on the ruler. If the crusade is called on you, then likely not a chance because of the fact that everyone will join crusades against you.

[Neshamah]

Originally posted by Nori Hunter:

What if you are already the king of Eire? Can an irish king survive it? I'm considering it mostly because right now Italy is being Rekt by Cathar heresies. It's the year 1000 and crusades are being fought over it rather than the holy land. Meanwhile Spain is still green and I don't think the catholic church is going to be stable in the long term.

You are about 200-300 years early for the Albigensian Crusade.

Edit: OP, heresies don't offer any real advantage in the game. If you are Cathar you can have women priests. The only reason I've ever gone the 'heresy route' was for RP purposes.

[Error_404]

If you have already a strong empire you can do it if you want.

But if not you shouldn't cause you will be alone and defenseless against crusades or jihads.
Plus you are in Ireland wich means you have at this time no access to holy sites then your moral authority will be very low. And a low moral authority means it wll take you ages to convert provinces.

[Kuno1]

Well I did it, and I was even able to convert all my vassals, win a few holy wars and conquer Whales. My Moral authority is now half that of Catholicism (25 vs 50) but the holy wars coming from scotland are getting anyoing. Also II like, don't NEED holy wars to carve up the british isles, my current chancelor fabricates claims faster than I can war them.

[Antonio Margheriti]

Everyone gonna ignore that 2 year necro?

[sr902]

I guess after two years I can answer my own question. It was probably a bad idea. I don't remember what happened, but I'm guessing I was nowhere near strong enough to defend myself at that point.

Though I did later have a Wales game going where I converted to a heresy just because I had gotten bored. With the Vikings still going strong in England, I was able to win a few holy wars while they had the Catholics distracted. So I guess if you've got the right circumstances, becoming a heresy even as a small nation can work.