I like all of OP's suggestions.
I would further like to see (some of these might already be planned) -
1. Chain of Command - Allow us to put part of our force under a companion, and give them overall orders. Same for allied lords that have decided to follow our force. Just made a thread about this.
2. Dynamic Character Generation - Characters die. New characters are introduced. Children of nobles take up their parents' seats. Commoners get ennobled due to bravery in battle. Some random solider kills a lot of enemies, and becomes a famous named hero. That sort of thing. Princes, siblings and offspring of Lords should also be active characters in the game, even if they do not hold any fiefs. Would love to see the odd female warrior / Lady as well, once in a while.
3. Improved Command UI - That allows me to organize my troops (incl companions and following armies) into multiple regiments (an improvement over the groups in the first game), put them in formations on map and set battle-plans. Medieval or Roman commanders had access to maps, complex tactical plans etc, and did not just point and yell "archers, go stand over there!".
4.Proper shieldwalls, spearwalls, or more advanced stuff like testudo. One might be tempted to say "but the first game also had shieldwalls!". If so I would ask - google "shieldwall" and find how it is vastly different from a bunch of bots standing and raising shields.
5.Decapitations, temporary injuries, e.g. weaker shield arm, or debuffs to stats etc for week, ability to disarm opponents, breakable weapons.
6. Dodging, parrying, counter-attacks, feints, riposte etc - stuff that even the most basic combat games have these days.
