any help?

I will try. My experience is almost entirely with the first game which I own, so I will start from there (I have little experience with Seven Kingdoms II, and have only played the demo).
As you might be aware of, Seven Kingdoms is an RTS. You choose between different civilizations/peoples like the Persian, Chinese, Japanese, Normands, Vikings, and the Mayans. All those factions each have only one primary type of unit. But these units can be trained by a general in a fort and therefore become good soldiers, or work in a mine or factory and improve its skills at that particular line of work.
There are settlements on the map, which are central for the game. There is a maximum of 60 units living in each settlement (if I do not remember incorrectly). When a game starts most, if not all of these units will be working as farmers, producing food which is one resource, and the population in the settlement slowly increases. You can then draft these units, perhaps train one into a construction worker, and some into soldiers to be put in a fort. You can also construct specific workplaces on the map like a scientific tower, and you can then let some of the farmers start working there.
An important factor in the game is the economy, which is fairly simple but enjoyable. There are different kinds of resources on the map, like copper or iron deposits where you can construct mines. These resources then need to be refined into wares in factories, and then sold at markets linked to cities (the population purchase them). Trading through caravans or diplomatic deals are also important, and from this money is generated.
The military aspect of the game consists of sending your troops to capture settlements or destroy buildings. Siege machines can be produced in the war factory by your workers (but first need to be researched by your scientists. Other civilizations are not your only threat, since there are usually some scattered monster lairs on the map (Frythian Lairs), If these are destroyed treasure and knowledge can be gained.
Seven Kingdoms II is different from the first one regarding some aspects. There are for example more unit types and the settlements can be larger. But it feels very different from the first game, and has another graphical style.
My own opinion is that Seven Kingdoms is a fantastic game. It is a game I have returned to time and time again since I first purchased it many years ago. Seven Kingdoms II is also a very enjoyable game, but from my limited experience with it, not as good as the first.

Thank you very much that was most helpful. It sounds interesting and a slight bit different from other RTS games out there.
Thanks again.

It sounds interesting, but this game is also one which I have not even heard of before - I don't suppose anyone knows a good place (legit) to download a demo of the game from?
ITs a shame that GoG can't have a demos section - even though their prices are good and cheap demos would really help attract some new fans to games not just returning ones

Gamershell - Seven Kingdoms : Ancient Adversaries (updated Seven Kingdoms)
Gamershell - Seven Kingdoms 2
Fileplanet - Seven Kingdoms/ Seven Kingdoms Ancient Adversariess (doesn't look like they have Seven Kingdoms 2, too)
Should be legit enough.

I was sure that I checked Gamershell and didn't find it - gah probably spelt a word wrong or something - thanks :)

I highly recommend Seven Kingdoms: Ancient Adversaries to anyone and everyone interested in RTS games. I use to own a copy a while ago but it broke and now I can't wait until it comes out on GOG. It is my all time favourite RTS to date. Pretty difficult but not impossibly hard. Unlike many other games of the genre it focuses less on building an army and killing stuff and more on diplomacy, espionage and research. Unless your more of "kill everything on sight" type person this is definitely a must buy.