Find which players are most energetic, reliable and loyal and assign them specific tasks. The two principal tasks are leading armies and coordinating military operations, the other is keeping all the nobles in the kingdom organized and moving in the same direction (this is not easy.) Another important job is that of ambassador. You need ambassadors for the other major kingdom as well as some of the powerful "Other" players (especially those in Spain and Italy.) Diplomacy is extremely important for the French player. In particular, the French king must form an alliance with the d'Anjou family. The d'Anjous are kings of Arles Eventually the two houses merged, and after the HYW war the French fought a series of wars with Spain and sundry Italians to try and keep Naples a French property. One reason d'Anjou was so tight with the Valois was because saw themselves as French and threatened by England. D'Anjou was also a vassal of the French king because of French fiefs held by the d'Anjous. The Spanish and Italians are another matter. You've got to work hard here because England can offer these folks parts of France in return for assistance.