There were always some methods to get control direct control of cities. Therefore the system of 'wrong type' is a little confusing according to the historical practice. Berlin was founded in the 13th century by merchants and the markgraf of Brandenburg (there was no 'Duchy') build just at the other site of the river a stronghold ('Zwingburg') to 'control' these merchants.

This gave cities a kind of feeling of 'independence'.īut in history there are some examples for a backlash of this. By the way: The administration of a (big) city needs some other methods than just a hierachally organised barony. Even ruler needed the money of the merchants for their ruling, so the balance of power changed in cities. In the Middle Age the role of trade was changing the balance of power. Mostly merchants were in the city council/magistrate.

Remember the expansion of the free cities in the HRE like the cities of the Hansa (eg Lübeck). Cities in the medieval age were a place of trade and so the merchants had a big influence of the politics of the city.

Ck2 wrong type of holding