Mary I was an impressive ruler who viewed her actions regarding religion as housekeeping rather than a counter-reformation.

“I actually have a lot of time for Queen Mary. I think she's a very impressive person. And actually, it's really important in this context to hammer home the point that basically it's not so simple as there being card carrying Catholics and card carrying Protestants. the whole kind of religious ecosy”

Mary I acted with a merciful disposition but felt compelled to execute heretics to fulfill the duty of a monarch to suppress heresy and rebellion.

“Mary, who I think naturally is kindhearted, she is widely thought to be of a merciful disposition, but she feels she has no choice now but to, you know, firm smack of government.”