How did Henry VIII’s religious beliefs differ from Thomas Cranmer’s Protestant views?

Henry VIII’s religious policy was characterized by a lack of consistency and a focus on royal authority rather than a specific theological agenda. While he broke with the papacy to establish the Church of England, he maintained many traditional Roman Catholic practices and doctrines, such as those codified in the Act of Six Articles (1539), which penalized those who denied transubstantiation or advocated for clerical marriage.12

In contrast, Thomas Cranmer was a convinced Reformer who drifted steadily toward Protestantism. By 1538, Cranmer had abandoned the traditional belief in transubstantiation, and he actively promoted changes such as the publication of an English Bible. While Henry’s religious stance was often a via media designed to ensure obedience to his rule, Cranmer’s beliefs were rooted in his study of Scripture and the early Church Fathers, leading him to pursue theological reforms that Henry generally had no taste for. Despite these differences, Cranmer maintained a doctrinal commitment to royal obedience, which allowed him to retain the king’s protection and favor throughout Henry's reign.2314