I am trying to build up relationships with lords before I even try to become a vassal of england, but noone needs me help. Only 1 or 2 quest have been given to me by lords
Because its easyer for me so that I dont have to sit around and wait for something to happen, I can ask lords to follow me, rebell against the king etc, I prefer to do that early game instead of mid/late
you can gain favor quicker if you are not a vassal, because there are more possible missions. I think that you can only have one quest of each kind at a time though. Finish them first otherwise you wont get new ones. It happens that they don't have any, in that case try to do a trade tour around the world, get rich by that and then come back and they'll surely have something Or do some long range deliver-whine /caravan escort via guildmaster if you prefer that.