I also played it. But i stopped after destroying 2 factions.
i will finish it over summer. And it really becomes to easy. I also like knights, but arhers are good also. If you put them high ground and you keep attackers bussy, they work great. Only they have problem with cavalry if it gets to close.
I like sieges a lot where i pull all troops close to wall so they dont ge hit, go under a wall and kill enemies with bow when they lean over walls. that way i can clear whole armies.