Vassal troubles

[unmerged(60439)]

I have eight vassals under my ruler, one of which is his own brother who is normally 100% loyal, however I've discovered that all of my vassals have begun racing for the 0 mark and I have no idea why... I have the ability to conquer them all but I doubt I could release them for fear of it racing towards the 0 mark again. He doesn't seem to have picked up any traits that would cause the vassals to fall so low, in fact his vassals mostly have the loyalist trait

Why could all of my vassals, including a brother to my ruler be ticking down like this?

 

[zachhcaz22]

In DV if you hover over the loyalty display it will tell you the modifiers. The most likely things affecting their loyalties are Heretic, Excommunication, and bad boy. Since you said he has no remarkably bad traits check your reputation. Vassals don't like it when you exert force over anyone.

 

[unmerged(60439)]

ah cool, I didn't notice that.

its rather lucky for one of my vassals, he had just dipped below 50% and I had my troops marching into his territory in a sort of prague spring situation before I revoked his office, suddenly my BB improved and he jumped back up to above 50% as my troops were walking into his capital

 

[sjones25]

Annexing your vassals that rebel or stripping rebellious vassals of their titles actually increases your badboy and usually just makes things worse with your remaining vassals.

I've found that it is better to defeat their armies, win a few sieges, then force them to be your vassal and renounce your claims on a few provinces (but make sure your demands don't dip below 0, as that will hurt your prestige). Forcing them to become your vassal doesn't add any badboy, and removing a few of your claims actually reduces your badboy. So the net result is more prestige and less badboy, both of which help your other vassals be more loyal.

 

[TempestDK]

Annexing your vassals that rebel or stripping rebellious vassals of their titles actually increases your badboy and usually just makes things worse with your remaining vassals.

I've found that it is better to defeat their armies, win a few sieges, then force them to be your vassal and renounce your claims on a few provinces (but make sure your demands don't dip below 0, as that will hurt your prestige). Forcing them to become your vassal doesn't add any badboy, and removing a few of your claims actually reduces your badboy. So the net result is more prestige and less badboy, both of which help your other vassals be more loyal.

...and if they rebel again later, you get that claim back you renounced