Medieval II Pope, excommunication and crusades guide
Understand the religious relationships that affect Catholic wars and crusading armies.
Edition covered
The original 2006 Grand Campaign and standard PC rules. Publisher images come from the later Definitive Edition bundle. Separate Kingdoms campaigns and mods use different factions, maps and rules.
Track papal relations as a Catholic faction
The Pope can object to fighting between Catholic factions. Read missions and warnings when they arrive; ignoring them can have consequences beyond the immediate battlefield.
| Role or system | Applies to | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Pope | Catholic factions | Papal politics |
| Priest | Christian factions | Religious conversion |
| Imam | Muslim factions | Religious conversion |
| Crusade | Catholic expedition | A designated target |
| Jihad | Muslim expedition | Religious campaign under its own rules |
Distinguish the religious systems
Catholic factions interact with the Pope and crusades. Muslim factions have imams and jihad rules. Orthodox factions do not use the same papal relationship system.
| Situation | Read | Useful response |
|---|---|---|
| Papal warning | Target and deadline | Reassess attacks on the named faction |
| Crusade invitation | Objective and eligibility | Commit an army you can send promptly |
| New conquest | Religion and public order | Use conversion and a suitable garrison |
| Excommunication | Diplomatic situation | Review threats from Catholic neighbors |
Treat a crusade as a directed expedition
A crusading army has a target and special campaign conditions. Keep moving toward the objective; lingering or fighting an unrelated war can lead to desertion.
Manage the province after conquest
Religious differences contribute to unrest. Use the relevant religious agent and inspect buildings and garrison needs instead of assuming capture alone creates a stable settlement.
Religious differences contribute to unrest. Use the relevant religious agent and inspect buildings and garrison needs instead of assuming capture alone creates a stable settlement.
References
| Reference | Website |
|---|---|
| Medieval II: Total War publisher listing | store.steampowered.com |
| Original game manual | cdn.akamai.steamstatic.com |
| Feral game manual | www.feralinteractive.com |