Thanks for playing it through, and congratulations on the earldom! An archer's son at Earl is about as far as the middle route goes without a crown.
To answer what you asked: most of it is up to you. Each chapter has fixed events, like the wars and the plague, but how they go for you depends on your choices, your skills and the people you keep faith with. There are seven endings to end up with, but I understand the game doesn't show you that well, and I'll work on that!
Did a second run now, as the Reeve's son, focusing more on being learned and diplomatic. Felt quite different. Notably being able to demand higher rewards and succeed unlocked A LOT of extra funds. At the last shopping option I had £705 available.
However he didn't turn out quite as good at fighting and commanding, and ended up bearing far more wounds and scars.
Still, as the Chancellor of an independent West that crowned the Queen by his own hands, with his firstborn marrying into royalty, that's a pretty good ending.
