Preturn:
Homeyg, minor MM tip - If you are producing wealth then MM for gold. You were working 2 3 gold squared when you could be working 4 gold squares.
On what to build: Upgrading a horse to knight costs 120 gold. If I change our build of wealth to build knights then I can build one in 4 turns. The wealth was gaining us 4 gpt. So for 4*4 = 16 gold I can disband a horse and build a knight. Therefore the knight is a better option.
You will find this true in general:
If you own any "antique" unit, then you should only be on wealth if you have a strong reason to (like getting a tech quicker). Disband the old units and build new.
There is one other thing to build: Since we are going for free artistry we can grow to size 20. If we had workers, then we could merge them in. So I am going to switch to a worker when the food box fills. I may be able to build a few before we start on the Wonder.
IBT: Some gpt from another civ runs out and we have to slow free artistry.
Metallurgy is now known by both France and Mayans. The two strongest civs are our neighbors. Yay! (not).
Berlin: Worker->Knight
1010 AD: Science lowered to 50% - Due in 12. I MM for food Disband 2 horse which I will try to rebuild.
IBT: Smith is started by French.
1020 AD: MM after growth back to size 12.
IBT: Smith is started by Mayans.
1030 AD: Unfortunately, one of those two Smith builds might Cascade to Shakespeares.
1040 AD:
IBT: We get another Crusader
Berlin: Knight->Worker (we will be at max again next turn).
1050 AD: MM town.
IBT: Maya declares war on Inca.
1060 AD: We lost another large chunk of change which will slow Free artistry even more. Annoying. I don't think wealth gives us enough to be worth switching to. I do get rid of the galley and a Trebuchet that we will have to rebuild. I also take Americas pitiful 12 gp - they are way behind in tech. MM town
IBT: Grow back again to size 12
1070 AD: I MM for gold to get Free Artistry in 7. I may even need to switch to wealth. I am trying to maintain 40% science. There is a 38 gpt outstanding deal that is no longer matched by incoming deals. Noone has gpt or gold to trade techs for.
1080 AD:
IBT: Knight->Wealth
1090 AD: I want to time switching to a courthouse to "prebuild" Shakespeares by a small amount. The courthouse should be in 1 when I get free artistry. Disband a Horse.
IBT: Build a Crusader
1100 AD: Disband a horse (Not in the town... starting prebuild and we can't build a wonder if I disband in town).
Courthouse in 5. Free artistry in 4 we have 34 gold and -9 gpt. There is some risk if someone demands gold from us.
IBT:
The French start Shakespeares.
1110 AD: The only good news is that we get Free Artistry in 1. Not sure if we have a chance, but I am going to continue for now. MM for max shields.
IBT: Finish Free Artistry start Physics
1120 AD: Switch town to Shakespeares. The town of Cherborg is also building it. It is hard to tell if we or they will be faster. We have more shields and they have a discount. I think we are better. There is also the concern of a Cascade from Smiths. I think I will run Min science and build up some cash to see if I want to investigate the city. Mayans have Free artistry but are not yet building the wonder. This also means we can't trade FA for anything either. Set science to 0.
IBT: Mayans start up Shakespeares as well.
1030 AD: Ok I mined two grasslands putting us at -2 food. We can exchange food in our granary for shields by switching between mined and irrigated grassland. We are at +26 shields now and will have to drop down to 24 as we run out of food. Don't let us drop in size whatever you do.
IBT:
1040 AD:
IBT:
1050 AD:
Notes:
Shakespeares - The race is definitely on. We are at 26 shields for the next 10 turns and then have to drop to 24 for the final 3. Cherbourg is size 8 which I think means they cannot compete unless they have a GA. A second concern is one of the Smith builds cascading to shakespeares. Lyons has several mountains and the Mayans are building it in their capitol. I think we are ok there as they need to get to 600 (-20%) shields before building it while we only need 450 and we didn't start that long after they did.
All in all it will be close I am guessing we win by a turn or two.. We should discuss if we want to spend cash investigating a city or two. I feel Lyons/Chichen are the bigger threats as they started earliest.
This is obvious but:
Make sure you don't let our capitol starve 
An SGL may be the biggest risk.
If we fail to get Shakespeares then disband the two workers. If we do get it then merge them in and MM for growth.
Mayans are getting bigger. This may become a concern.
Why is it furious with us?
