Historian A: John Smith – Religious Reform Perspective

'The reign of Edward VI marked a decisive shift towards Protestantism, driven by the influence of reformers like Cranmer. His policies aimed to dismantle Catholic practices and establish a more modern, reformed church. Mary I’s accession represented a reactionary attempt to restore Catholic dominance, reversing Edward’s reforms. Historians like Smith argue that the religious changes under Edward were motivated by genuine reformist ideals, but Mary’s policies reflected a conservative desire to maintain traditional Catholic authority.'

Historian B: Emily Johnson – Conservative Perspective

'The religious policies of Edward VI and Mary I can be seen as motivated by political power rather than genuine faith. Edward’s reforms were superficial, mainly driven by the influence of a small group of reformers seeking to weaken Catholic power. Mary’s reversion to Catholicism was an attempt to reinforce the monarchy’s authority through religious orthodoxy. Johnson suggests that both monarchs used religion as a tool to consolidate their control, rather than based on sincere religious conviction.'