I just had my best game ever by far, on the Impossible difficulty. I won in December 1318, with a ranking of Crown Prince. I saved before I claimed so I can go back and see if I can't get a higher ranking (I'm assuming there's a "King" ranking). I was curious how well other people have done--earliest victories? Highest rankings?

As an amendment: when I went back for maximum points (conquering the entire board) I got the ranking of "Emperor," which I assume is the best possible. Still don't know if there is a "King" ranking between "Crown Prince" and "Emperor."

By "conquering the entire board," does that include annihilating the Pope? I came close once, but stopped short there because of the pain-in-the-neck logistic problem that I couldn't attack once His Holiness decided to excommunicate me.

If you couldn't attack, that could be part of your happiness. If peasants aren't happy with you, you can't invade.

Being excommunicated pissed them off and you have to wait around or use 'happiness' to improve their standing.

Hmm I'm tempted, now, to kill all players and the pope and see what happens >[:|

Totally go for it, it's very fun. But it won't give you higher score.