You see Ireland, Scotland and even Norway would not be a match against England single handedly... England could even take any of the two at the same time but its really difficult and impossible when all three of these factions gang up from the North and West and then France from the South really destroys them... Like Sahran said, Bourdeaux is the main conflict as its far away..
I think France needs to have another nemesis or some sort of conflict with HRE, Crown of Aragon or Castille to even things up..
I joined England once and helped them against france by taking around 4 castles. It was bloody mental and almost impossible but it did England a great favour.. They went on to conquer Ireland, Scotland and even Norway while harrassing me at Bourdeaux single handedly...
Im a big crusader fan but the crusader states are too powerful and it should be the Mamluks who must overpower. The ill-khanate doesnt let them. I joined the Mamlukes as a merc to help them out and even began my own faction somewhere near to oversee things, I just couldnt bring myself to convert to Islam, not even in a game
so I gave up and left them at their own mercy..
The HRE needs to focus on Sicily, Poland, Sweeden and maybe France and not spread out to go after Bulgaria, Serbia, Hungary and Latin Empire... let Hungary and Empire of Nicea do the damage in Balcan.. not HRE or Sicily as they tend to lol.. anyway, things are pretty good and this game is f***ing great!! Love it!! Come on ENGLAND!! Or that newly established Principality of Albania at Janina