EnderPL
Love the concept, but I think you should focus first on securing your source of income and cutting out wasteful expenditures. Likewise, you should consider what countries with simular climates do current day. I would feel more comfortable building a cheap wooden shack to live in than a regular brick house. They're too cold and have too much moisture problems without proper insulation. Tackling the cold weather issues will also secure a good export on goods to do so, which won't empower the southerners as they won't need it. The more small folk of other lords that survive the winter, the less you will loose in proportion when a call of banners steals yours away, since more will survive in proportion due to better numbers on the northern sides. So yeah before you start orderint marble and IKEA up your digs. Consider removing unnecessary costs and increasing the cash flow first. That way you gain an exponential momentum and make greater gains. Just like In strategy games.