Crusader Kings 2 Thread III: Keeping Up With The Karlings

[Squark]

Aside from fabricating claims, is there any way for a Feudal Christian to gain CBs to declare war? I'd been playing as a Minor Irish noble to get a feel for the game again, but nothing was happening since the RNG wasn't feeling friendly, and then my only decent chancellor died. Failing that, what would you reccomend I try that would be a bit more expansion oriented?