Hey, I've been playing Patrician 3 and love it, but I've been working on the first campaign...the one where you rise through the ranks. But I can't seem to reach councillor status...I have plenty of gold/net worth (in excess of $700k) and when I look at the social standing inside my personal tab, it says travelling merchant. I try to spend money on the town, church, etc but I guess its not enough. Suggestions?

i believe that the fastest way to rise in ranks is to sell most of your goods in your hometown, you should also try to build roads and wells as well as other buildings in your hometown because that should raise your rank.