Slow start?
 

After bugs the first 2 times that locked my campaign, i reinstalled and am going for it again.

Question though, am I the only one who heightens leadership early on via a cheat just to field a bit more men?
The game is frustrating early on in that everyone even peasants field more forces on average. (weird)

I don't mind tough opponents but i do like to field something akin to an army...

I love the game still but it does need finetuning.

On a sidenote, i'm glad its about the Teutonic Knights. Far too little games about them. And too much focus on the Templars and the Middle Eastern crusades.

Yes it's the nature of the game. At start you must fight only easy enemies.

I didn't cheat for leadership but i did cheat with autowin a couple of times.