This whole thing smells a lot like when Bryggan did basically the same thing last strat to Acre, but it had a severely-lackluster ending of James bending over and Bryggan just re-accepting Acre as his vassals, without anything actually happening as a result. No civil war, no shitposts, nothing.
I accused James of treason for blatantly disobeying orders and being a dick. Not because several powerful lords in my faction hated him. I have no time for the petty quarrels of people who take shit on the internet personally.
We have all experienced James' dick side. The late night PMs telling us how we are total assholes and he's the only guy who is decent and everyone should do as he says. When I left Acre I got many of those, and when I worked for the Squids I got many more, and when I attacked Acre they came non-stop. But I just pictured James sitting at his PC, a three quarter empty bottle of rye at his desk and a big scowl on his face, remembering all the injustices the world threw at him. We all have that friend who is a good guy but a miserable drunk.
But after I withdrew my armies from the front (thanks to a truce the WotN gleefully agreed to) and threatened him, I had my little court case and aquitted him. And after that he stopped all his bullshit (though it was too late apparently for the steppe folk).
But Acre did good for us. They kept the crime in check and basically ran the economy. But they would never attack. They were quick to reinforce any of my armies in a fight, even setting their alarms to do so, but I had to beg and plead even for a measly 300 man army to help campaign. And then I would get vague promises, and whoever was appointed to me would disappear. Fortunately I had the 13K and the Starks for attacking.
Not sure what it is with Acre. I could see them on the faction page, and they never had men or gear. Until we were attacked. Then they were right there in the right place. And look how long they held up against Eques. I wanted them to come to Europe to build attacking armies, telling them that it was hopeless to stay on the defensive, but yet they stayed. I guess we all have our strengths and weaknesses.