Yeah, france has guaranteed independence to a ton of countries, and unless you're powerful enough to fight france, those states can be extremely difficult.
so my preferred state are the papal states because it makes me very strong,the papacy and other things like the relations with other countries at war with me,if i declare war vs england or france,the % of me being the papal controller raises ^.^
Another progger! let's listen to Dream Theater!!!! hahahah