Strategy to earning medals
here is a strategy to earning medals from captured Valleys or Flats. (Does not apply to NPC'S).
Level 1 = 50 Archers for Cross, Rose
Level 2 = 50-100 Archers for Cross, Rose
Level 3 = 150 Archers for Cross, Rose, Lion
Level 4 = 400 Archers for Cross, Rose, Lion
Level 5 = 1,500 Archers for Lion, Honour
Level 6 = 5,000 Archers for Honour, Courage, Wisdom
Level 7 = 6,000 Archers for Courage, Wisdom, Freedom
(attacking vallies leveled 1-3 should take no losses regardless of technology level, but at least a level 3 archery is required to attack anything higher then a level 4 valley, along with your hero's attack value)
There is usually a 1% chance you will earn a medal from a successfull attack, so after you capture the flat you must recall your troops, abandon the valley, and wait for the assault force to get back before launching another attack. If you are lucky you may be able to receive a cross or possibly even a rose in 15 or 10 attacks to the same valley.
Some people are able to attack a neighboring flat just a mile away from their city and average one rose medal from an hours worth of attacks.