This is Orysson, not Europe. Things have progressed and regressed differently. Twenty years of civil war have destroyed the region, politically and economically. Hundreds of thousands dead. Tradesmen, fallen, Kings and Lords overthrown. Brothers murdered by brothers, sisters sold into slavery. The fall of Bohaddon was a set back, not a leap forwards. We may have gunpowder, but this does not set us in the real 1600's.

Governments have not the resources to mass produce weapons and armor. Global trade has broken down. Professional soldiers demand pay, and are a much sought-after asset in this depressing landscape. 

We haven't got millions of citizens, living under us and paying us a great deal in taxes. We have a few hundred thousand at best, and given that the land is so ravaged, the raising of an army of heavily armored knights, skilled archers and courageous skirmishers would take time. 

Mercenaries are an option, but you better have the goods to pay them with, because they'll want more than your subjects would, I'd of thought. 

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But I digress. Get the resources. Get the wealth. Get the troops. I could go on until I'm blue in the face, so I'm just going to say this:

Carry on with what y'all doing, and if I see something I disagree with, I'll ask you to explain your actions and if I don't find them satisfactory, the World Events page will be mentioning you exclusively. :)